Richard Calland
@richardcalland
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Africa Director @cisl_cambridge Emeritus Prof., UCT Adjunct @wits_WSG. Gooner, Dad. Partner: The Paternoster Group. Debut play @markettheatre in 2024.
Joined June 2012
Sclerotic Europe must reset its relationship with Africa, Global South
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Sad but proud moment for SA’s democracy: no-one should take pleasure in the sight of a former president going to jail. But the strength of the rule of law and the independence of court is something wonderful to behold. #ConCourt #jacobzuma.
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A must watch, painful as it is to hear (while the Israeli ambassador fiddles with his papers and then reads his phone like a shamed teenager). Israel must be held to account; this impunity cannot go on - otherwise we might as well give up on international law. #Gaza_Genocide.
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This is not a constitutional crisis. It is an attempt by Zuma to destabilize the Constitution to defend his personal interests. This is very serious but it is not a constitutional crisis. The constitution is clear and will prevail.
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Zuma should be made to watch this video clip everyday for the rest of sentence.
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Although I strongly reject any allegation of bias, I have today – in consultation with the Speaker – accepted that it may not be in the best interest of the parliamentary process for me to serve as a member of the Section 89 Panel. My full statement below:
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What’s the expression? A photograph can convey a thousand metaphors?
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@GermanEmbassySA @EmbassyofRussia @MbalulaFikile @mfa_russia @PMSimferopol @RusConsCapetown @mahasharampedi @SABCNews @ThabisoLehoko @MID_Kaliningrad @RusEmbEthiopia @georgegalloway @calebmaupin Thank you for taking a stand on this and departing from normal diplomatic niceties. The ‘Nazism’ claim, as a justification for an illegal invasion, is an example of the worst form of fake news, and a sign of weakness and desperation.
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A wannabe Ambassador sucking up to his boss, while attacking those who defend international law and multilateralism. What a despicable sight.
Sanctions vs. South African officials are on the table after @CyrilRamaphosa co-published this in @ForeignPolicy attacking Israel over Gaza (with no mention of Hamas or terror), threatening to arrest @netanyahu, & criticizing Trump for sanctioning the ICC.
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Zuma’s spin doctor @MzwaneleManyi blames media for breaking COVID regs, and says that Zuma is not wearing a mask for ‘confidential medical reasons’. @MzwaneleManyi is breaking new ground for the incredible.
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@MmusiMaimane Shows you don’t understand the law. If it is about private money and Cyril as a private individual, then PP has no jurisdiction. If it is about him as President then he has the right to use public money to litigate. You need to have another word with yourself.
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The violence of the EFF’s attack on PG is truly sickening. There is no more stellar public servant and committed progressive democrat in South Africa. which is why: he is a threat to their venal interests and instincts #SONA2020.
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This is an astonishing poor decision by parliament, which will undermine public confidence and waste an opportunity to rebuild lost integrity in public life. How can a person who has been impeached as a judge determine whether a judicial candidate is fit and proper? Absurd.
[MEDIA STATEMENT] We are disappointed by the National Assembly’s decision to designate as members of the JSC and Magistrates Commission, MPs who have previously been found guilty of misconduct or have been criticised by courts for ethical breaches. #JSC.
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@MbalulaFikile @ZiyandaNgcobo Nonsense. It was a perfectly good and legitimate question to ask. You tweet ‘as a minister’ from that account so the public have a right to know if you were lying or not when you claimed to have landed in Ukraine. Don’t try and take it out on the journalist.
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To be fair, @CyrilRamaphosa is being very candid about the challenges and weaknesses and failures. Not trying to gloss over them. Adds weight and credibility to #SONA2022.
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Well done @GovernmentZA for putting the record straight; it is fortunate to have a health minister @DrZweliMkhize who actually understands the subject matter.
We have consulted with our genomics team who have assured us that, at present, there is no evidence that the 501.V2 is more transmissible than the UK variant- as suggested by British Health Secretary. There is also no evidence that the 501.V2 causes more severe disease #COVID19
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This is a deeply profound piece. It should make South Africans stand tall. A must read.
OPINION | Stand with South Africa against Trump’s wrath: To allow South Africa to be isolated and punished would be to surrender to the imperial logic that seeks to divide and conquer all who resist.
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Zuma’s dishonesty is captured so neatly when he stands before a large crowd that is self-evidently in breach of the lockdown rules and claims he supports the rule of law. #ZumaConCourtRuling.
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With respect, @CyrilRamaphosa looks like he could have played in the front row. But v glad he could have his #NumberSix moment with Siya. A brilliant moment for the country. Let it be a turning point.
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That was excellent Mr President. Remember, there is no ‘perfect’; this about crisis management under the most extreme pressure. And @CyrilRamaphosa is demonstrating his leadership - calm, measured, re-assuring and the government has a thought-through plan #CoronaVirusSA.
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The constitutional system has been tested by Zuma before and it held firm. @ThuliMadonsela3 was steadfast as institutions buckled around her under the pressure of state capture. The judiciary held the line. And now Zondo is doing the job that the Public Protector intended.
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@richardquest @CyrilRamaphosa @PresidencyZA Will never happen. The man’s a coward. Despite his intelligence, grasp of the issues, and eloquence, he’s scared of being asked tough questions and misses the opportunity to communicate his thinking.
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The short point is this: @MYANC lost control of @PresJGZuma years ago and this weekend they are busy proving that he’s still out of control. Unity? Discipline? Don’t make me laugh.
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Superb piece by @AntonEberhard in which he succinctly diagnoses the past & present causes of the #eskom crisis and correctly explains why @GwedeMantashe1 must go. His obstructionism is now as much a part of the problem as the state captors looting of Eskom under Zuma.
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Commissioner Barnard trying to make an issue about Mlambo’s suggestion that the legal profession is prone to gossip. As a lawyer myself, I can’t think of a less controversial statement! Interview is all over the place. One can only admire Mlambo’s equanimity. #JSCinterviews.
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This bloke is a complete idiot. There isn’t a single ‘socialist’ party in the political system. And investors remain seriously interested in SA - as I know from my conversations with them. Why anyone gives him airtime is beyond me. Airhead with too much money and no sense.
[LISTEN] What they think about your country and your choices. Q:What do your international friends think of RSA?. A: It’s looney tunes down here. … The fact that 64% believes in some socialist idea, they think it’s looney tunes. Rob Hersov via @BizNewsCOM
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The links between @Julius_S_Malema and the ‘fight back’ rump in @MYANC remains one of the most intriguing aspects of the political landscape.
CR17 documents will be made public, like it or not. @EFFSouthAfrica.
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I was right there, standing next to @zilevandamme, and can confirm the accuracy of her account of what transpired.
Lies. We waited for judges, Pres, Speakers etc to go out 1st. Speaker had outlined the process of exit to prevent a stampede. EFF, led by JM came from behind us, shoved everyone aside & pushed police & who politely asked them to wait. They did not. All this for camera action!.
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Another nice-to-have academic perk I discovered yesterday: the ‘right’ to ‘hood’ one’s own graduating son @jackcalland #proudfather
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@TreasuryRSA @tito_mboweni An admirably transparent budget process run by a highly professional group of committed public servants in @TreasuryRSA currently led by an admirably candid minister @tito_mboweni.
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I am sorry to say that this ‘explanation’ is not helpful. In diplomacy every word counts. And the opening paras make a grave mistake: they speak of two sides to an armed conflict as if both have chosen war, when in fact one far more powerful nation has invaded the other.
South Africa’s statement in explanation of vote on #Ukraine at the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session, 2 March 2022. @UbuntuRadioZA @SAMissionNY @SAfrPMUN_Geneva
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Off script, @tito_mboweni ad libs a joke that ends with the words ‘such ACES of crime must be removed from the system’. He chooses his words carefully and tellingly. #MTBPS2018.
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The government is inevitably making mistakes, as @CyrilRamaphosa conceded last night. But I do think it is potentially highly irresponsible for @jsteenhuisen to call for ‘an end to the lockdown’ when #COVIDー19 transmission rates are rising. .
In today's @FinancialMail, Paternoster Group partner @richardcalland and senior researcher @MikeLaw111 delve into the party political dynamic, and the risks inherent in all strategic decisions now being made that may shape the future of SA's democracy .
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@sherwiebp I have acquired a new level of respect for Zelenskyy, who firmly stands his ground and refuses to he publicly bullied by POTUS and his attack dog VP, while not losing his temper.
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45 mins to get through security and passport control at @ortambo_int is unfortunately as typical as it is unacceptable. We have huge unemployment crisis. So Here’s a thought: why not employ more people? @Leon_Schreib.
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More evidence of CR 2.0. A more decisive President. For good reason, ignoring the illegitimacy of the JSC’s ‘recommendation’ and going with DCJ Zondo for CJ. #ZONDO.
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@joelpollak Just because you disagree with the outcome doesn’t mean the judiciary has been corrupted.
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@davidfrum A deliberately disingenuous and inflammatory response. On the contrary, @ProteasMenCSA kept him as captain despite his remarks on Gaza, following the advice of legal opinion on free speech rights. The decision now is in light of police recommendations related to security.
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My goodness. In general, the media’s coverage of the post-election uncertainty and coalition negotiations is very shallow and unhelpful.
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@karynmaughan It’s actually outrageous. Procedurally unfair. Attempt at character assassination. Once again the #JSC is self-harming. #JSCinterviews.
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What’s happening in the Southern US state of Georgia has significant implications for the whole world. Positive ones.
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Where is @NathiMthethwaSA? As minister for arts and culture you should be intervening, otherwise what is the point of you and your department. The District Six Museum is a national treasure. Please Act.
One of the most important independent museums in Cape Town is on the brink of closing down. They have received no bailouts from government. Please assist for as little as the price of a ticket.
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Why we need whistleblowers and why they need to be protected and respected.
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Executive summary: anyone can be in the GNU, except MK.
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Something about the way that CR said ‘you watch this space’ (twice) that reveals not only his inner steel but his anger. Good. #SONA2019.
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Israel is out of control. @UN @antonioguterres powerless to stop its illegal, genocidal rampage. The UN is broken & the Security Council has lost all legitimacy. Those ‘Western powers’ that failed to confront Israeli impunity & defend international law are complicit.
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One hour and 45 minutes. #SONA far too long. No new narrative; no golden thread; no structure; no memorable lines; and above all, no strategic clarity. His worst SONA, at the worst possible time….
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Smashing a glass jug on a political opponent’s head. ‘Nothing wrong’ (sic). Says @Julius_S_Malema - apologist for brutal violence and leader of a party built on a platform of thuggery.
@mrlungisa did nothing wrong, and I support him. I will soon visit him in jail and support all initiatives to get him out of jail soon. Be strong my DP; you are our generational deputy President.
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Superb speech. As I keep saying, even though integrity in public life & excellence in parliament have diminished greatly over the past decade or more, there remain islands of integrity and excellence, both institutions, & individuals like Naledi Pandor. @DIRCO_ZA.
Minister Naledi Pandor: Palestinians are denied the right to exist as human beings. (An excellent oration).
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This is dangerously misleading. It will suggest to some people that Zuma was dragged from his home by an autocratic state without any basis of law. Nothing could be further from the truth. #ZumaArrest.
This is where H.E President Zuma, a 79 year old grandfather is imprisoned without trial. The country is sliding back to Apartheid days. Very sad.#WenzenuZuma
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@AdvDali_Mpofu I am sorry but I just lost all respect for you with this disingenuous (at best) tweet. You must, or should, know that Yengeni pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal fraud (having been indicted under the Corruption Act). Completely different situation.
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I am astonished to discover that there is confusion about whether the ‘hotspots’ will go to level 3 or not. If the government does not nip this in the bud within the hour then it is going to find itself in very deep water @PresidencyZA @DrZweliMkhize @KhuselaS.
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This is a momentous day in South African political history. No doubt, @CyrilRamaphosa is ‘considering his position’ - the euphemism for when a politician is deciding on whether his position is untenable. Much will depend on whether he still has the stomach for the fight.
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Extraordinary, brave and brilliant piece from @ferialhaffajee. A must read for anyone interested in Truth, free speech & media freedom in the digital age: Twitter and the rest of social media are a rising threa.
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It’s only symbolic - words not action - but @CyrilRamaphosa sounds thoroughly pissed off and frustrated. Good. That’s how his people feel; that’s the state of the nation. Leadership. #SONA2022.
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How stupid does he think everyone else is?.
JUST IN:.Former President Jacob Zuma has denied that he deliberately walked out of the State Capture Inquiry after Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo refused to recuse himself - and says he left so he could take his medication.
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Someone should check how many times @jsteenhuisen has tweeted about international law & human rights in Israel/Gaza since 7/10 (answer: 0) versus Ukraine since Russian invasion in Feb 2022.
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Cyril and Ace can’t both survive - My latest column in The Mail & Guardian
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But seriously, when you compare @CyrilRamaphosa to the daily rambling insanities of Trump, SA is well served.
@CyrilRamaphosa re a leboga for your steady, calm, and firm leadership throughout this #coronacrisis. Many many countries are not as lucky.
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Big moment at #ZondoComission How will DCJ deal with Zuma’s latest walk out? It is time to deal with him like the scoundrel he is, once again defying the rule of law.
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South Africa is different from 1994. And there are lots of Tintswalos and @CyrilRamaphosa is speaking to them and the rest of the black middle class to remind them what the ANC delivered for them. Good speech-writing (given the shortage of good news).
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Hilarious.
Whoever added Sir David Attenborough’s voice over to this is simply genius! A must watch & share clip!
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This is extraordinary.
THABO MBEKI . South Africa is failing under this administration. South Africans must wake up and do something about it. [He doesn't want to say this directly anymore. He has resorted to go back to philosophy ways of stating his frustrations]
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So sad to learn of PG’s passing. All that political work and public service, and no time at the end of it all to put on the slippers and reflect, with family and grandchildren and friends. He is owed so much by so many.
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Much of this is the responsibility of @PresJGZuma If he was a principled man and a real leader he would have told his supporters to stand down eight days ago and to respect the rule of law. Instead, like Trump in January, he incited them to resort to violence.
#SANDF deployed to KZN and Gauteng "to assist law enforcement agencies". IMO it is in defence of democracy, life, property & the rule of law. But lets hope the SANDF adhere to the law themselves during this challenging deployment
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Ukraine abstained. And it expects…oh never mind.
BREAKING: UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution on “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” on the ongoing Gaza crisis. FOR: 120.AGAINST: 14 .ABSTAIN: 45. LIVE COVERAGE.
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I am not sure which is more alarming: the brainless irresponsibility of the substance of the tweet or the brainless lack of judgment in deciding to write and publish it. Apparently, he is the ANC Whip on SCOPA. God help us. Or ‘we are Led’ I think is the thing to say. .
As an ANC MP I will never support a DA motion to remove the Public Protector. In fact as a matter of principle I will fight any attempt to remove the Public Protector by whoever.
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This is absolutely spot on now. As I argued in @FinancialMail after NASREC at the end of last year, the litmus test for @CyrilRamaphosa is if he can put the interests of SA ahead of any political debt to @GwedeMantashe1 who is not fit to be that portfolio.
Indefinite Stage 6 is an existential threat to SA. Whatever one thinks re energy mix, Mantashe has to go. He is too enmeshed in special interests, too ideological, too unaccountable. If he stays, Ramaphosa has failed the determinative decision of his presidency. This is it.
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@MYANC If you showed the same passionate commitment to improving the lives of working class people in South Africa as you do in defending Russian propaganda then you might still be fit to govern. And by the way, kindly disclose all Russian donations over the past 15 years. I dare you.
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Even by South Africa’s standards, politically the next couple of weeks are going to be 🔥🔥.
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This sort of de-humanizing othering is not only deeply offensive, it makes the individual unfit to hold a column in a respectable media outlet. @News24 please act and fire this reprehensible man, or risk your own reputation for quality coverage.
Genuinely don't understand the "older than. " thing. I am older than Zimbabwe. it's hardly a reason to go viral. .
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This makes my blood boil. While I know that we must continue to engage constructively with our many progressive American friends & organisations, isn’t it also time to start treating the USA like the rogue nation it’s President has made it?
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Clearly the @EFFSouthAfrica has no intention of actually entering into a real governing coalition. Tactical position. Easier to scream from the sidelines. Will be a relief to other parties.
EFF Has Formed A Coalition Negotiations Team And Coalition Framework Of Principles
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Why @CyrilRamaphosa @SibongileBesan1 @PresidencyZA can’t you get your act together & increase protection for these whistleblowers? Your words about combatting corruption are frankly hollow. Take action. Walk the talk for god’s sake.
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An extraordinary display of lack of perspective let alone self-awareness, even by his standards.
South Africa could ‘become a failed state’ – ANC Secretary General warns. @MbalulaFikile says his country hasn’t reached that state yet, but could if ‘certain things are not resolved’
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Can @CyrilRamaphosa please urgently convene an urgent NEC meeting to recall Arsène Wenger. #WengerOut.
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This is a brilliant Tweet; the sort of comment that this app was invented for and how - at its best - it contributes to democratic discourse. @ferialhaffajee captures (forgive the pun) the whole damn thing in less than 280 characters. 👏👏.
Comment: the mayhem on the N3 is such full circle state capture. Trucking has taken over freight after the full frontal capture of Transnet by the Guptas. And the two Zuma children who most benefited from that capture are fanning digital flames as their yacht life disappears.
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It’s good a see an opposition politician talking specific policy alternatives and options @geordinhl is taking a different tack from the divisive, shrill stuff that tends to emanate from many opposition leaders. To be welcomed and encouraged.
I have proposed a 10-point action plan that could be immediately implemented by national gov to start solving the energy crisis. My message to the President: this problem is solvable. But it requires a willingness to do things differently.
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So now the @EFFSouthAfrica political strategy will begin to emerge: to position themselves so that they can blame the bell curve of #COVID deaths on @CyrilRamaphosa
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ANC MP Vincent Smith arrested. It’s been a long time coming - in 2004 I described him 👇 as the ‘shark-eyed filibuster supreme’ who suffocated parliament’s arms deal inquiry, after @andrewfeinstein blew the whistle in SCOPA
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@MbalulaFikile When? Kindly refer us to the Cabinet meeting when this ‘decision’ was taken, and to the minutes of that meeting.
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Good interview with @BBCWorld just now on #ZumaArrested 👇 But, concerned about the framing of the accompanying news report, which said that South Africa is on a “knife-edge” with heavy extra security deployed “across the country”. What have I missed?
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Presidential. Throughout, but especially at the end. He is clearly feeling the weight of history on his shoulders. Speech-writers doing a good job, too @KhuselaS.
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Top quality journalism from the @BBC to capture a complex story in seven minutes.
South Africa's President Ramaphosa says its energy crisis is an 'existential threat' to SA's economy & social fabric. He's promising to bring the daily power cuts 'to an end'. 7 mins on a story that's about more than electricity. Produced by Floyd Cush, Michael Cox, Mary Fuller.
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What a neat, elegant and utterly devastating put down.
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When people who should know better, and who have the power to influence, deliberately distort information and mislead, then they should be challenged strongly in the only language they appear to understand. As @CyrilRamaphosa said in #SONA2025: “we will not be bullied”.
@elonmusk @CyrilRamaphosa Please get a grip! These are old videos,surely, you can verify them. Not a single white person has been killed by these individuals or because of their utterances. We have legal instruments to deal with incitement. You really need to familiarize yourself with our legal system.🙄.
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Foreign journalist asks Zuma if he will hand himself over if he loses the rescission application. Zuma just laughs and refuses to answer.
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Congratulations to @CyrilRamaphosa Duly elected President. He has never been more powerful and may never again be so powerful. He will use it or he will lose it.
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President (not 'government') cancelled Kathrada memorial service. What an outrage! It will go ahead anyway & will be a huge political event.
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@MzwaneleManyi If the constitution required unanimity from the @ConCourtSA it would say so. It doesn’t. So stop lying and trying to mislead people.
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