Judging by recent key appointments to the South African Broadcasting Corporation, it is inevitable that Peter Matlare’s successor will be drawn from within the ranks of the African National Congress. Three people are said to be in the running: Nkenke Kekana, Mandla Langa and Snuki Zikalala.

The controversial African National Congress statement on the transformation of the judiciary reflects an unresolved debate on the judiciary in the ANC leadership, with one important faction under Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang believing that judges are thwarting the government’s will.

Andile Ngcaba will still get a slice of Telkom, but both his personal stake and his clout will be substantially reduced after Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel and Brian Molefe, who runs the Public Investment Commissioners (PIC), intervened to stop his empowerment consortium from winning a R7-billion share in the fixed line monopoly.

It is a demanding time to be a Cabinet minister. With President Thabo Mbeki pressing hard for progress on major initiatives in economic development, service delivery and social welfare, departments are working to a rigorous, and very public, timetable. Tough deadlines and public exposure keep Cabinet hopping.

DREW FORREST, Johannesburg | Friday IN a powerful parliamentary speech full of veiled signals and undercurrents, Minister of Home Affairs and Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi gave notice of his anger with his African National Congress coalition partner this week. Buthelezi was not alone in using the debate on President Thabo Mbeki’s state of […]

A unanimous Security Council vote to exempt American
peacekeepers from prosecution by the new war crimes tribunal for a year ended a US threat to halt UN peacekeeping – but angered many court supporters.

NIGERIA?S bicycling transport minister, Ojo Madueke, was run off the road on Wednesday by a speeding bus that crashed into an oncoming car. Madueke, who started last week cycling to weekly cabinet ministers, told reporters at the presidency he had set out for the meeting early Wednesday when the near tragedy occurred. “There was a […]

The government’s attempts to push through a politically attractive health plan are being shot down. Pat Sidley reports THE government’s controversial plans for a national health insurance scheme face a determined challenge from several influential quarters. A crucial meeting on Monday will determine the nature of an inquiry into the plan, who will join the […]