People feeding Africa's cities have no say in how food is governed
Informal traders and spaza shop owners supply most of the food eaten by poor urban households across Africa, yet they remain excluded from crucial food security policymaking.
MUST READRecommended by us at the M&G
More elections coverage
Climate change puts SA’s young and old at greater risk from extreme heat
The 2026 Lancet Countdown report warns that escalating climate change poses an immediate threat to human survival, with extreme heat and drought hitting vulnerable populations in…
Political parties set sights on winning strategic councils in KwaZulu-Natal
Political parties are gearing up for high-stakes municipal battles in KwaZulu-Natal, with analysts predicting coalitions will determine control of major councils including…
Editorial: You can’t sweet-talk a dry tap
As municipal dysfunction and severe water shortages plague communities across South Africa, fed-up voters head into local government elections ready to punish failing leadership…
Young voters demand reasons to believe
Ahead of municipal elections, young South Africans grapple with civic duty versus growing political disillusionment, demanding real accountability and basic service delivery.
The ANC’s coalition model is unsustainable
The ANC's winner-takes-all governance approach is fuelling instability within South Africa's Government of National Unity, underscoring an urgent need for collaborative coalition…
Will South Africa remain in ANC hands?
As South Africans head to the polls, the ANC faces its toughest local government test amid rising service delivery challenges, surging opposition parties, and the looming reality…
Democracy for sale, delivery not included
As South Africa approaches the local government elections, political violence, corporate capture of parties, and collapsing municipal service delivery threaten the core of…
IEC election readiness; equal to the task
Comparing election preparation to the intensity of the Soweto derby, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo outlines the systems, safeguards, and youth initiatives ensuring…
Your vote is written on the walls
At the 60th annual Sapoa convention, economists and property leaders debated how stagnant growth, failing infrastructure, and coalition politics are impacting South Africa's…
Beyond the ballot: SA’s local elections are a test of governing competence
Beyond election promises to fix broken services, the real challenge for South Africa's incoming municipal councils lies in administrative competence, infrastructure maintenance,…
Thought LeaderComment & Analysis
To The Class Of 2026
Inspired by Mary Schmich's famous sunscreen essay, Shaun Read offers an honest, grounded commencement speech for the Class of 2026 on success, failure and staying human.
Sars can collect even more if mining gets support, cash businesses are brought into tax net
Former SARS tax chief Jonas Makwakwa outlines how South Africa can significantly boost revenue by revitalising the gold mining sector and bringing the vast cash economy into the tax net.
Emulate OR Tambo’s values
Ahead of the municipal elections, South African voters are urged to overcome disillusionment and draw inspiration from OR Tambo's legacy of selfless leadership and active citizenship.
Moving People, Caring for People: The Journey to an Inclusive South Africa
ACSA Chairman Irvin Phenyana explores how connecting Transport Month and Mental Health Awareness Month reveals the need for dignity, compassion, and accessibility for neurodivergent travellers.
Beyond the ballot: SA’s local elections are a test of governing competence
Beyond election promises to fix broken services, the real challenge for South Africa's incoming municipal councils lies in administrative competence, infrastructure maintenance, and surviving volatile coalitions.
Your vote is written on the walls
At the 60th annual Sapoa convention, economists and property leaders debated how stagnant growth, failing infrastructure, and coalition politics are impacting South Africa's property sector ahead of crucial local elections.
The ANC’s coalition model is unsustainable
The ANC's winner-takes-all governance approach is fuelling instability within South Africa's Government of National Unity, underscoring an urgent need for collaborative coalition models.
Democracy for sale, delivery not included
As South Africa approaches the local government elections, political violence, corporate capture of parties, and collapsing municipal service delivery threaten the core of substantive democracy.
Turn grievance into a vote and mandate to deliver
Widespread service delivery failures have fuelled a crisis of grievance across South Africa. However, withdrawing from local elections only empowers the status quo; turning frustration into active democratic participation is the only route to…
Lula’s electoral triumph: A victory for the Global South, a lesson for the ANC
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s triumph in Brazil strengthens the Global South and provides essential lessons in democratic renewal and grassroots mobilisation for South Africa's ANC.
Urgent Action required to safeguard Gauteng’s Water Supply
Rand Water warns that Gauteng's water security is at risk as reservoir storage plummets to 28.9%, calling on municipalities to curb overconsumption and repair rampant infrastructure leaks.
The 23 million South Africans who chose not to vote last time are closer to anarchism than…
With voter turnout dropping to historic lows in South Africa, millions are turning away from the ballot box. While disillusionment reflects deep-seated systemic failures, genuine change lies in community organising and building counter-power…
City of Ekurhuleni episodes
Reverend Mautji Pataki urges religious leaders to reclaim their prophetic voice and speak out against deep-seated corruption and criminal syndicates plaguing Gauteng metros.
Thirty years later: The struggle for intersex children’s bodily autonomy continues
Decades after activists first protested against medically unnecessary cosmetic surgeries on infants, the South African Human Rights Commission is championing bodily autonomy and informed consent for intersex children.
Eighteen is an age, not an exit plan
Turning 18 legally creates an adult, but it does not instantly provide financial independence or stability. When a vulnerable school-goer leaves home, informal community support often hides the ongoing systemic gaps.
Chance for African leaders to confront Putin over enlisting their nationals in Ukraine
African leaders heading to the third Russia-Africa Summit face domestic calls to challenge Vladimir Putin over the deceptive enlistment and trafficking of their citizens into the war against Ukraine.
Leadership lessons from an NGO working with seriously ill children
Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos reflects on how working with seriously ill children reshaped her understanding of courage, resilience, and true leadership.
Shrinking Civic Space: Why protecting the right to organise matters
As activists gather for the Rights and Remedies School, South African civil society faces an increasingly hostile environment marked by political delegitimisation, lawfare, and shrinking civic space.
Africa is underpricing its diplomatic power
Beyond natural resources, Africa's ultimate geopolitical asset lies in the collective power of its 1.5 billion people and global diaspora. Discover how the continent can better leverage its diplomatic weight.
Friday
