
South Africans believe the country is ‘headed in the wrong direction', survey shows
Out of line: A study by the Human Sciences Research Council for the Electoral Commission of South Africa found that 79% of respondents think the country is 'headed in the wrong direction' while less than two-thirds were 'satisfied' with democracy. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
A new study shows that most South Africans are sceptical about the country and want more transparency about political funding and donors
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Mail & Guardian
2 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
DA will not leave GNU or table motion against Ramaphosa despite Whitfield firing
DA Leader John Steenhuisen. (Delwyn Verasamy / M&G) Despite feeling hard-done-by over the firing of one of its deputy ministers, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will not leave the government of national unity (GNU) or table a motion of no confidence against President However, the party said on Saturday it was withdrawing from a DA leader The DA had earlier in the week — after Whitfield's axing — given Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum to similarly fire corruption‑accused ministers Ramaphosa responded that he would not be swayed by threats or ultimatums, insisting that he had acted within his constitutional powers in letting Whitfield go. On Saturday Steenhuisen said the DA would remain in the GNU despite how it had been treated, arguing that leaving would open South Africa to a 'coalition of chaos and destruction' with disastrous consequences, through the inclusion of radical parties such as the 'We've said to South Africans when we went into the GNU that we're here for the best interests of South Africa,' he said. 'We do not believe that it is the best interest of South Africa for the current GNU to collapse and for a coalition of chaos or corruption to follow, because the feeding frenzy that would then result from MK or the EFF getting into office and other parties will be significant.' But he added: 'Things have to change. They cannot stay the same as they are, and the ANC needs to start realizing that we are part of a coalition. Being part of a coalition means that you show respect to your coalition partners. I have shown nothing but respect to the president throughout the term of the GNU, and we will continue to do so — but it is only fair that respect is reciprocated.' Steenhuisen dared Ramaphosa to eject the DA out of the coalition government, telling journalists: 'If the ANC wants to kick the DA out for fighting corruption, well, so be it.' He said tabling a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa was still on the table. 'We understand the concerns that many South Africans have about what will follow once Ramaphosa is removed from office. However, I want to be honest that, in the DA's view, the president is failing to uphold his word to act against corruption and fast becoming indistinguishable from the 'Now, while the federal executive decided not to table a motion of no confidence at this stage, it is clear that the DA is losing confidence in the president's ability to act as a leader — not only of the ANC but of the GNU, of which we are the second-largest component.' The DA also announced its withdrawal from the national dialogue which is expected to bring citizens together to address corruption, gender-based violence, unemployment, and other social ills. 'It is clear the dialogue will be nothing more than a waste of time and money — a distraction from ANC failures. This explains why they are so obsessed with it; it's clearly an electioneering ploy at taxpayers' expense to gloss over the serious crises they have plunged South Africa into,' Steenhuisen said. 'The dialogue has no constitutional standing to impose decisions. Frankly, if the president cannot meaningfully engage with his coalition partners, there is little point pretending this is anything more than an ANC-run national dialogue.' He added that the DA would mobilise civil society to oppose what he called an 'obscene waste' of over R700 million of public funds. It would demand that the dialogue not proceed unless Ramaphosa removed corrupt ANC individuals from the national executive. 'The reality is, no matter what the dialogue resolves — no matter how many noble resolutions or feel-good moments — it will not bring meaningful change if the same corrupt individuals remain in cabinet. The people of South Africa should not be taken for fools.' The DA would also vote against upcoming budget proposals for departments led by Simelane, Nkabane, and other corruption‑accused ministers and persist until those ministers were removed, Steenhuisen said. He defended Whitfield for his US trip, which he said was not a government one. 'He went to a party function—there were no meetings at the White House or anything of that nature. He was there as a member of the DA. It was a party-funded trip, not paid for by the government, and despite repeated follow-ups, he has never received a response.' The DA would submit a name to replace Whitfield as deputy minister, Steenhuisen added. 'It is a DA decision, and once again, the fact that we have six ministers and six deputy ministers in the GNU shows how we are committed to South Africa.'


Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
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Ireland to make education a focal point at G20 meet in SA
Irish Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, visiting a school in Liberia, April. (Photo supplied) Ireland, invited by current G20 president South Africa as a guest at a series of meetings culminating in November's summit of heads of state, will make education a key point during its participation, its government officials said this week. The G20, a forum of developing and developed countries whose members account for 85% of the global GDP, primarily aims to foster international economic cooperation and address major global economic issues. South Africa's theme during its 2025 presidency is solidarity, equality and sustainability. Ireland is taking the invitation seriously and plans to attend every ministerial meeting held in the run-up to November, officials, including the Irish Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond, indicated on the sidelines of the Africa Ireland Trade Horzions conference in Dublin. Richmond also confirmed that Ireland — the most educated nation in the world — will push the importance of education and how it can address major global and economic issues. Ireland holds the highest percentage for higher-level education attainment for people aged between 25 and 34 years old at 55.1%, according to data from By contrast, data from Statistics South Africa in 2024 showed that approximately 40% of learners who start grade one in the country drop out before completing their final year of high school. Richmond said having been a poor nation for much of its history, educating its people had contributed to boosting Ireland's economy. 'I don't want to give too much of a history lesson, but it cannot be understated how poor Ireland was. We were a developing country. There's no dispute about that. We had a massive famine, a civil war; we were a new independent state,' he said. 'Our focus on education started in 1967 when the then Irish minister of education made second-level education free. In 1994, third-level education was made free. We now have officially the most educated population in the world and a workforce of 2.8 million people [out of a population of 5 million].' The country is tweaking and tailoring its education system to make sure that it is fit for purpose, he added. 'Over the last decade, we have increased the amount of projects coming out of very specific qualifications in areas relating to the life sciences sector and the tech sector. We work hand in hand with third-level institutions and businesses that want to invest in Ireland.' The life sciences sector — encompassing pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices — is a major contributor to the Irish economy, generating over €100 billion in exports annually and directly employing over 100 000 people. However, Ireland is facing a housing crisis: 'We need more people working in those areas, not to just construct the houses that we so desperately need, but also the infrastructure, the water, the roads and the healthcare facilities,' he said. Statistics show that Ireland's Richmond reiterated that investing in education was crucial to eradicating poverty. 'When we go to G20, the central plank has to be education' to boost the economy and facilitate development, he said. The journalist's trip to Ireland was sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa.


Mail & Guardian
8 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
From code to cooperation: How the G20 and Unesco can shape ethical AI
Bright future: Unesco's Gabriela Ramos focuses on social inclusion and an antidiscriminatory agenda and ethics of artificial intelligence. (Photo supplied) Imagine a world where technology helps cure diseases, close learning gaps and expand access to public services. Now imagine one where digital tools deepen inequality, automate discrimination and erode democratic values. Both futures are possible. Which one prevails depends on the choices we make today. Advancing at remarkable speed, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technical debate, it's a societal one. Generative AI reached millions in days, with ChatGPT adopted faster than any previous technology. Meanwhile, neurotechnology, quantum computing and synthetic biology are accelerating, often powered by AI that decodes neural data or drives biological simulations. Open-source models and falling costs have democratised access, with actors such as DeepSeek proving foundational AI is no longer exclusive to Big Tech. Yet many breakthroughs outpace our understanding, raising profound ethical issues. The real question is not what AI can do, but whether governments, youth and businesses are ready to guide it. The answer lies in our decisions. Responsible AI demands inclusive governance, strong safeguards and development centred on human and environmental well-being. That's why I am proud to have led Unesco's work in developing and deploying the The drafting process was led by Professor Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem of South Africa, which was among the Insights from this work are now informing the G20 agenda under the South African presidency, which prioritises inclusive outcomes. This is promising, because the G20 remains the leading forum for international economic cooperation. As a former G20 Sherpa, I am convinced of its potential to shape public policy that improves people's well-being and supports Unesco's core pillars: education, culture, science and communication. South Africa's strategic engagement is reflected in its leadership across several Unesco initiatives, including Minister Blade Nzimande's chairmanship of the Amid conflict, climate breakdown and digital disruption, Unesco, with strong support of members such as South Africa, must remain the ethical compass of a renewed multilateral system. My candidacy for director-general is rooted in this conviction, and built on three guiding pillars: impact, inclusion, and innovation.