AAD 2026: hit and miss
The African Aerospace & Defence (AAD) exhibition took place between 16 and 18 September 2026 at Air Force Base Waterkloof outside Pretoria. A revisit of my 2022 and 2024 opinion pieces indicate a steady regression in the scale and participation over the last three AAD expos.
Is South Africa serious about its sovereignty?
Speaking at Waterkloof Air Force Base, defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga opened the 13th Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition with a message worth taking seriously. She told delegates that July’s Defence Industry Lekgotla had produced a roadmap built on “localisation and sovereign capability, ensuring South Africa designs, manufactures, and sustains its own defence technologies.” She pointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent visit to Denel as proof that government backs the sector, and she framed the exhibition’s drones, aerospace platforms and cyber systems as engines of industrialisation.
Naza: The truth, and nothing but the half truth
Naza presents itself as an exposé of Israel’s targeting system in Gaza. But true facts, carefully selected and stripped of context, can tell a deeply misleading story.
Assessing today’s shifting global order
We are overwhelmed by news flows – which are rarely reported objectively – while knowing little about how national leaders make key decisions.
Trump’s G20: back to basics
As a crisis response entity, the Group of 20 was superb. In 2009 at the nadir of the global financial crisis, leaders from lands accounting for 85% of global output agreed to flood their stumbling economies with cash—demonstrating to a benumbed public that competent leadership was in charge, that confidence would be restored—and most importantly–there would not be a worldwide depression.
Election 2026, the commentariat is warming up!
With the municipal elections less than two months away, people are casting the prediction dice with doses of aspersion. Opinions abound left, right and centre.
A failing empire, consumed by ignorance, avarice and hatred
The once-great US of A is on a downward spiral, ruled by a megalomaniac who arrogantly exudes ignorance. I did tell you so.
Rape and murder in SA: a reply to Jackie Phamotse
There is a way of talking about violence against women in South Africa that begins from a morally serious concern and ends somewhere much less useful. A woman is murdered, raped or assaulted and almost immediately ordinary men are told that they need to “hold other men accountable”.
DA’s changing of the guard the most consequential political event this year
Many who watched it, have failed to appreciate what exactly happened in the Democratic Alliance this year. The party underwent a fundamental shift, a changing of the baton as a new guard took over. For years the DA has prided itself on its ability to cultivate and develop young talent. Not for kicks, but for leadership roles later. This year the fruits of that work can finally be seen.
Getting into a frothy over rugby
“Well, how did you enjoy the rugby?” Noah asks. Noah and I are standing our Irish friends to breakfast at a local restaurant. This is