A man chooses to have many wives. Each wife has her own household. They bear his children and, together, they are a large number. This has been the custom among the Nguni people of South Africa for many generations. Jacob Zuma practises it, as does King Zwelithini and other Zulu tribesmen. But many women have spoken out, saying it is demeaning to women and gives a great sense of inequality.

The Family Life Centre in Parkwood, a stone’s throw from Zoo Lake, Johannesburg, was once a sprawling suburban home. Today its immaculate garden is still intact, but it has a street-facing notice board that at times boldly advertises “Divorce Recovery” or “Effective Parenting”. The place has an air of sadness, writes Matthew Krouse.

”Can a condom protect your heart? Can a condom protect your mind? Can a condom protect your virginity?” asks a crew member from Silver Ring Thing, an international purity organisation. It is a Saturday night in Eldorado Park and the community hall is packed with young people who have come to see the Silver Ring Thing show.

Newly elected ANC president Jacob Zuma used his first speech to urge ANC members to move away from the Zuma-camp, Mbeki-camp laagers. Zuma spent time relating the warm nature of his relationship with Thabo Mbeki and how they had worked together for more than 30 years. “He’s my friend, comrade, brother, father, and indeed my leader.”

Brigitte Mabandla, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, scores a double GG — and that stand for ”get going”. She and her boss, Mbeki, suspended National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli, apparently for party-political reasons, with blatant disregard for the Constitution and the values it represents.