Trying to save BEE with a voluntary tax won’t stop the damage.
- By Jonathan Katzenellenbogen
- . Jul 22, 2026
There is now a growing and broad criticism that black economic empowerment (BEE), a central tenet of ANC policy, has failed to create a self-sustaining black entrepreneurial class. Instead, it has enriched a few, meant higher prices paid by the
There’s nothing left … sorry
- By David Doubell
- . Jul 21, 2026
The false binary at the heart of the grid ownership row
- By Ivo Vegter
- . Jul 21, 2026
South Africa’s next load-shedding is coming out of the tap
- By Chris Hattingh
- . Jul 21, 2026
News

Space-based internet is coming to SA
- By Daily Friend
- . Jul 20, 2026
Nicholas Lorimer and Ofentse Donald Davhie discuss the introduction of Amazon Leo to South Africa in 2027. They also discuss global perceptions of the United States, the value of soft power, and the FIFA World Cup. https://youtu.be/zSiwaCirotc
GEM Bill provides template for thriving mining industry
- By Terence Corrigan
- . Jul 20, 2026
It’s impossible to understand South Africa without reference to the trove of mineral wealth beneath its soil and the industry that grew up to extract it. The very borders of the country are in large part the outcome of conflict
Russia’s war in Ukraine: after, not yet
- By Greg Mills
- . Jul 20, 2026
“If this was a war of machines, there would be no war.” Dmytro Kutovyi was speaking at the Kharkiv Media Hub located off the main square of the eastern Ukrainian city.
A tin of baked beans for the coloureds, a plate of biryani for our boy, and a fancy hotel room
- By Viv Vermaak
- . Jul 19, 2026
The numbers for June 30 are modest: 120 marches, surprisingly little violence, some pan-African blowback, and only 1% of foreigners leave the country. I sampled some more reflective podcast opinions, adding a human touch.
Hard choices SA’s defence leaders can no longer avoid
- By Kobus Marais
- . Jul 19, 2026
South Africa’s defence debate has reached the point where polite language is no longer useful.
Got to have the books, you know
- By Ian Martin
- . Jul 19, 2026
“Why are you hoarding all these books?” This is what the millennial asked us, and he wasn’t the first to question our attachment to hard-copy reference material.
News Focus: Extreme weather across North America
- By Staff Writer
- . Jul 19, 2026
As smoke from wildfires in Canada and 68 large blazes burning across at least 15 states blanketed the eastern United States, from the Great Lakes to Washington, D.C., millions of Americans faced hazardous conditions, and orders to stay indoors. Summer
Burke versus Paine: does political progress mean taking political risks?
- By Garth Zietsman
- . Jul 18, 2026
Last week I pondered whether we should err on the side of missing out on progress or avoiding harm. My conclusion was that we should be more open to chasing progress, and less to avoiding harm, than we are now.