Mr Shahid Esau (DA)

Esau

What is your political background? I went to a high school that was very politically inclined and I was heavily involved in political debates and community youth movements to fight the apartheid regime. I then left the country to study abroad in Saudi Arabia where there were also anti-apartheid movements ...

Decisions on public money not that democratic when the majority is not heard

By Steven Friedman

fried

Picture: SUNDAY TIMES

WHEN South Africans debate how public money should be spent, we can be sure that the voices of most of the people will never be heard.

The conflict over university fee increases is the latest example. We are told that "the students" want some ...

Ms Natasha Mazzone (DA)

N-Mazzone

How did you become involved in politics and what specifically drew you to your current political party? I read at a very politically active school from a young age where political awareness and engagement was encouraged. I come from a politically active home and when I arrived at the University ...

The week ahead: A fiery week looms

It’s taken a few weeks but Parliament is finally firing on all cylinders with plenty of action scheduled in the National Assembly Chamber and the committee corridor.

The main events will be the debate on the State of the Nation Address on Tuesday and Wednesday as well as the President’s ...

Desperate and divided: South Africa has had enough

By Lizette Lancaster

Increasingly, South Africans from all walks of life are mobilising for change. Many resort to public protest in the hope of galvanising government to improve its performance and do something about unacceptable levels of unemployment and poverty. Last year saw widespread community-level protests, along with large-scale student ...

Ms Sibongile Mchunu - ANC

S-Mchunu

How did you become involved in politics and particularly, what drew you to your specific party?

I got involved in politics in 1995 at university through being active in the South African Students Congress (SASCO). Every citizen was affected by the politics of the time in South Africa . Outside ...

Ms Tandi Mahambehlala

What is your political background?

From 1988 to 1990 I served as a member of the SRC at Msobomvu High School and was also the ANC Youth League Branch Secretary and a Cape Town Youth Development Council Executive Member from 2000 to 2004. From 2004 to 2008, I served as ...

Infographic: Jobs Fund Performance

On Tuesday, 22 September 2015, National Treasury with the Deputy Minister of Finance, gave an overview and a status report on the Jobs Fund to the Standing Committee on Appropriations. South Africa's unemployment challenge needs high levels of economic growth which require long term structural change to the economy. The ...

Infographic: Unemployment Stats: 2015

On Tuesday, 1 September, Statistics SA briefed the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development on the Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The briefing focused on the high rate of youth unemployment (36.9%) and the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. A recent article highlighted most of what Statistics SA presented to ...

The Week Ahead: Presidency’s budget vote takes centre stage

MPs will be relieved that the grueling budget vote schedule is nearing the end. This process began in February with the training of MPs on the processing of the budget votes and was followed by committees meeting with various departments and entities on their strategic plans, annual performance plans and ...