Why Musk’s trillionaire status is unmerited
The real reason to raise an eyebrow at Musk’s wealth has nothing to do with him, and everything with what he is actually selling.
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Alternative bill, released today, to make mining “investable” again
South Africa’s current and proposed mining policies have made it the fifth least attractive country for mining investment, according to the “Policy Perceptions Index” (“PPI”) included in the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Annual Survey of Mining Companies. By contrast, Botswana scores
Lessons from Cuba: when communists outgrow their own ideology
Cuba’s Communist Party has approved the country’s most sweeping economic reforms since the 1959 revolution. On 18 June the National Assembly adopted close to 200 measures that scrap the requirement for foreign investors to form joint ventures with the state,
How DA should respond to Ramaphosa’s slow-walking GNU changes
On 17 June, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to Cyril Ramaphosa requesting a targeted reshuffle of the DA’s representatives in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa’s response was subtly contemptuous. The most prominent change was replacing agriculture
The DA’s birthday — and the work ahead
Fellow South Africans, This week – 24 June – the Democratic Alliance marks another birthday. It is a moment to look back with pride, and to look forward with purpose. The DA is the child of the South African liberal
Bill sets out how to restore SA’s critical mining sector
Restoring South Africa’s mining sector as a key contributor to the economy is the thrust of a draft mining bill released by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) today. The Growth and Employment in Mining (GEM) Bill was the subject
South Africa’s privatised police force
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the growing cooperation between the police and private security in the lead-up to 30 June. They also discuss the ANC’s candidate selection process for Johannesburg mayor. Lastly, they discuss the resignation of Keir Starmer.
A long game awaits Iran
President Donald Trump’s deal with Iran has severely damaged his administration. Even though it is highly unlikely that the deal will be fully implemented, Trump has turned himself into a lame duck President. Giving so much away to open the
Mining never mattered more, and we’re blowing it
Three men walk into a bar. One orders a lithium sours, the next a manganese old fashioned, and the third a platinum martini. The bartender looks them over and asks: “Where are you gentlemen from?” “The Democratic Republic of Congo,”