Discussion: Dissecting current political turmoil

The Institute for Security Studies, and the Goedgedacht Forum would like to invite you to attend the discussion on 21st November.

The seminar will be addressed by:

- Pippa Green ( journalist, editor, academic and author of ‘Choice not fate: the life and times of Trevor Manuel’ (2008));

- Adriaan Basson (journalist & Editor: News24.com)

- Mpumelelo Mkhabela (former Editor: Sowetan & PowerFM station manager)

It will be chaired by Judith February (Senior Research Associate, ISS).

Event information

Date: 21 November 2016

Time: 5:00 pm for 5:30 pm – 7:00pm

Venue: 6 Spin Street, Cape Town

Please RSVP to Helen (hchanda@issafrica.org) before 17th November 2016.

Background

What will 2017 look like for South Africa? Can we look beyond the Zuma years, state capture and corruption?

The August local government results symbolised a proverbial bloody nose for the ANC. However, there is little evidence that a party so divided is able to reflect on what is needed for a better electoral performance in 2019 or more responsive governance.

The ANC faces deep divisions within the party which have been exacerbated by President Zuma’s own weaknesses and the allegations of corruption against him. Rising levels of social instability and inequality have caused deep fault-lines within South Africa’s democracy. We have seen this in government’s inability to deal with the universities’ crisis and increasing levels of social protest.

In addition, the recent state capture report and charges brought against the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan show a party at odds with itself, mired in corruption and a paralysis in policy-making.

How does SA move forward and what might the political and economic future look like?

Grateful thanks to the Hans Seidel Foundation for their generous and ongoing support of these discussions.