Can Zille save Jo’burg?
John Endres and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the reporting that Helen Zille is considering running to be the mayoral candidate for the DA in Johannesburg. They
Watch
Listen
Race to the bottom
Professor William Gumede of the Wits School of Governance recently lamented the terrible failure of BEE because, he estimates, over R1 trillion moved between around 100 politically connected individuals. He goes on to say: “South Africa’s BEE model has created
Pride and Prejudice Month
In another step on the road to Gilead, Republicans have introduced a Bill declaring June to be “Family Month”, instead of “Pride Month”. For someone who claims to know nothing about Project 2025, Donald Trump and the Republican Party he
No audible gasps … just laughter
You can’t keep complaining about the policing of expression without acknowledging victories, however far or under-emphasised. On the weekend in Los Angeles, Ricky Gervais was awarded a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. After accepting the honour, he said how
Just who exactly can expropriate our stuff?
Nicholas Lorimer and Makone Maja discuss the IRR’s campaign to find out how many parts of government will have expropriating powers. They also chat about failed government efforts to create jobs and problems with the deeds office in Jo'burg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_1eAalfhg
Fixing infrastructure not enough to restart SA’s economic engine
South Africa's economy is stagnating. From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate was just 0.8%. In 2024 it declined to 0.5%. In the first quarter of 2025 it slowed to a barely perceptible 0.1%, according to figures released
What’s needed in confronting serious corruption
The following is an edited version of my submission to the Constitutional Review Committee of the National Assembly, focusing on four key recommendations relating to tackling corruption, revising the electoral system to match the demands of coalition politics, reforming the
For those at the back: “Just and equitable” compensation is (above) market value
“Market value is not the constitutional standard” is a common argument in the discourse around compensation for expropriated property. And it is correct. But most immediately assume that this implies below market value compensation as a possibility. Instead, mere market
The false threat of revolution
Marius Roodt and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the ongoing public debate around BEE and South Africa's lost potential. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO28lq-V3rI