Articles By This Author

Bring back the Rainbow Nation

Opinions

Now that South Africa again has a government of national unity, it could do with an attitude and policy reset, too. In a review of

Eroding privacy for imagined safety

Opinions

A spate of laws are being written to undermine privacy and anonymity on the internet, all supposedly to “protect the children”. A new policy in

GNU cabinet is weak tea

Opinions

The cabinet announcement held little excitement, as familiar faces were reshuffled and the former opposition got crumbs. It was an evening of disappointments. President Cyril

Stop with the tariffs!

Opinions

Whoever becomes minister of trade, industry and competition should start by slashing import tariffs across the board. As I write this, the DA and the

On useful (and useless) political labels

Opinions

The traditional left-right distinction is of limited analytical value. I prefer using alternative spectra for political analysis. In a recent column, I briefly mentioned an

Ramaphoria redux: caution is advised

Opinions

Despite widespread elation and renewed Ramaphoria, cracks are already showing in the GNU. Optimism ought to be tempered with caution. “Investors cheer as Cyril Ramaphosa

Why job creation is the wrong policy

Opinions

All political parties have promised, one way or another, to create jobs. They’re all misguided. It will not be news to anyone that South Africa

GNU is not a ‘social democratic consensus’

Opinions

In Daily Maverick, Ferial Haffajee hails a ‘centre of consensus that is broadly social democratic’. Excuse me, what? Some of our commentariat seem to be

Adrift and confused: the left in South Africa

Opinions

One would think the socialist left would consider themselves well represented, but leftwingers are adrift and confused. There’s a sense of despair among left-wing intellectuals

The advantages of legislative gridlock

Opinions

Whether alone or in coalition, the ANC will struggle to pursue its legislative agenda.  ‘The best government is that which governs least’, goes an old