Rapule Tabane

Rumblings of a rebellion against Jacob Zuma by a KwaZulu-Natal faction – the president’s strongest base – have unsettled the ANC.

For the black youngsters of the 1990s, it was Madiba’s role as the head of MK that gave him the respect he needed to bring peaceful reconciliation.

Even if Cyril Ramaphosa emerges unscathed from Marikana he still has to win over Jacob Zuma’s supporters in the ANC, writes Rapule Tabane.

The president has mastered the art of quietly surprising those who snipe at his lack of education.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has criticised the ANC in Gauteng for revealing that Thabo Mbeki will be part of the party’s election campaign.

The post-Mangaung era could see the government lose two key leaders: Kgalema Motlanthe and Trevor Manuel.

Zuma has demonstrated an incredible skill at defeating his opponents: five years ago at Polokwane and now, at Mangaung.

The ANC president worked the crowd with his singing and entered the conference like a popular boxer on the first day of the electoral conference.

On speculation that he would be nominated as president or deputy, Motlanthe has said such talk was ‘coffee-house bubbles not worthy of response’.

The Democratic Alliance will have to change perceptions if it wants to increase its share of the vote in 2014, writes Rapule Tabane.

A dismissive tit for tat among intellectuals and the president will not help South Africa’s discourse, writes Rapule Tabane.

Sabotage, falling-outs and electricity outages ensured that it was an interesting week of local politics.

They had to haul some members out of shebeens at an ANC meeting in Khutsong, but at least they got to nominate their candidates.

Obsequiousness aside, the first book about Motlanthe is a good starting point, writes Rapule Tabane.

Hawks spokesperson McIntosh Polela has apologised for making light of rape in prison on Twitter.