Latest news with #YouthDay2025
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Liam Jacobs Defection: A Western Cape Political War Shaped by Identity and Media Optics
Patriotic Alliance leader and former Democratic Alliance MP Liam Jacobs. The defection of one young MP may not decide an election, but it signals a broader realignment, says the writer. Image: Patriotic Alliance/X Clyde N.S. Ramalaine On the eve of Youth Day 2025, South African politics was rocked by a bold defection: 24-year-old Member of Parliament Liam Jacobs, a rising figure in the Democratic Alliance (DA), appeared at midnight in a Patriotic Alliance (PA) livestream, announcing his move to the rival party. Once an outspoken parliamentary critic of PA leader Gayton McKenzie, Jacobs now stood beside him, clad in PA colours. This dramatic transition is more than political theatre; it signals a calculated realignment ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), revealing the shifting tactics that define contemporary South African party politics. The political adage, 'In politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests,' aptly frames this episode. Jacobs's move illustrates that in politics, loyalty and ideology often yield to strategic interest. Former rivals find common cause, not out of principle, but due to evolving objectives. This fluidity defines the realpolitik of South Africa's multiparty resignation was more than administrative; it was theatrical. Announced via livestream rather than a formal letter, his appearance alongside McKenzie was itself a declaration, bypassing bureaucratic convention for media spectacle. The DA, caught off guard, responded by pointing to protocol violations. But this only underscored its dissonance with the optics-driven nature of modern politics. In today's political climate, where perception reigns supreme, symbolic gestures often eclipse procedural norms. Granted, 'one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one fine day,' yet his defection marks a realignment rooted not only in tactical calculation but also in shared identity. Both Jacobs and McKenzie, according to democratic South Africa's state-led racial categorisation for its citizenry, are ascribed an identity marker of Coloured politicians, a fact powerfully symbolised. Their alignment taps into broader issues of racial representation and regional mobilisation, particularly within the Coloured electorate constituency of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In South Africa, identity politics remain central to party identity and strategy. For the PA, Jacobs's defection is a double win: it adds youth credibility and simultaneously punctures the DA's image of generational renewal. Jacobs brings with him media savvy, a following among young voters, and a political narrative of personal conviction—assets that the PA will seek to deploy strategically. Conversely, the DA lost a youthful, dynamic figure who embodied its future-facing posture, weakening its appeal among younger Coloured voters. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Though seemingly personal, Jacobs's switch is also emblematic. The PA's timing, launching the announcement over Youth Day weekend, maximised symbolic impact. The message was clear: the PA is positioning itself not merely as an alternative but as a bold, rising contender capable of luring the best from its in South Africa, like elsewhere, is not merely policy-driven; it is strategic theatre. The PA's presentation of Jacobs's defection was a textbook example of narrative manipulation, media exploitation, and timing. The move was less about resigning from the DA and more about rebranding his political image. This act of political theatre was designed to win the optics war and shift public discourse in the PA's favour. Rather than a traditional press release, the livestream announcement created drama and spectacle. The calculated use of symbolism, party colours, and public display redefined the terrain of defection as performance. The timing was masterful—aligned with Youth Day, the moment resonated with generational symbolism and highlighted the PA's appeal to younger voters. Outmanoeuvring political opponents involves strategic deception, calculated exposure, and seizing narrative control. Jacobs's surprise appearance placed the DA on the defensive, enhancing the PA's image as a tactically agile force. This was more than recruitment; it was symbolic conquest. The PA not only gained a voice; it gained validation and attention. Such moves are not merely acts of addition but of transformation. They may shift voter psychology, attract floating constituencies, and redefine political branding. Politics, ultimately, is about winning, gaining ground, disrupting opponents, and capturing the public imagination. Jacobs's defection did all three. More than individual repositioning, Jacobs's crossover signals a broader strategy: expanding the PA's support base among Coloured voters, particularly the youth. The DA has historically dominated this demographic, especially in the Western Cape, where Coloured South Africans make up 42.1% of the population. At its height in 2014, the DA secured 59.4% of the provincial vote. By 2024, this dropped to 55.3%. The PA, which had no presence in 2014, secured 7.8% in 2024. If the PA increases its share to 15–20%, the DA's majority could collapse. While symbolic events don't guarantee electoral gains, they catalyse momentum. Jacobs's defection could accelerate shifts in allegiance among young and disenchanted voters. Jacobs embodies the very electorate the PA is targeting: young, urban, Coloured voters who feel increasingly alienated by the DA's leadership and messaging. His move could serve as a tipping point for similar realignments across constituencies where the DA is vulnerable. It can be argued that Jacobs's defection qualifies as a coup. It was timed for maximum effect, targeted at a key demographic, and delivered in a format tailored to 21st-century political engagement. In undermining the DA's claim to youth-driven leadership renewal, the PA scored a decisive symbolic Jacobs's history of publicly challenging McKenzie in Parliament adds to the drama.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Liam Jacobs Defection: A Western Cape Political War Shaped by Identity and Media Optics
Patriotic Alliance leader and former Democratic Alliance MP Liam Jacobs. The defection of one young MP may not decide an election, but it signals a broader realignment, says the writer. Image: Patriotic Alliance/X Clyde N.S. Ramalaine On the eve of Youth Day 2025, South African politics was rocked by a bold defection: 24-year-old Member of Parliament Liam Jacobs, a rising figure in the Democratic Alliance (DA), appeared at midnight in a Patriotic Alliance (PA) livestream, announcing his move to the rival party. Once an outspoken parliamentary critic of PA leader Gayton McKenzie, Jacobs now stood beside him, clad in PA colours. This dramatic transition is more than political theatre; it signals a calculated realignment ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), revealing the shifting tactics that define contemporary South African party politics. The political adage, 'In politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests,' aptly frames this episode. Jacobs's move illustrates that in politics, loyalty and ideology often yield to strategic interest. Former rivals find common cause, not out of principle, but due to evolving objectives. This fluidity defines the realpolitik of South Africa's multiparty resignation was more than administrative; it was theatrical. Announced via livestream rather than a formal letter, his appearance alongside McKenzie was itself a declaration, bypassing bureaucratic convention for media spectacle. The DA, caught off guard, responded by pointing to protocol violations. But this only underscored its dissonance with the optics-driven nature of modern politics. In today's political climate, where perception reigns supreme, symbolic gestures often eclipse procedural norms. Granted, 'one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one fine day,' yet his defection marks a realignment rooted not only in tactical calculation but also in shared identity. Both Jacobs and McKenzie, according to democratic South Africa's state-led racial categorisation for its citizenry, are ascribed an identity marker of Coloured politicians, a fact powerfully symbolised. Their alignment taps into broader issues of racial representation and regional mobilisation, particularly within the Coloured electorate constituency of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. In South Africa, identity politics remain central to party identity and strategy. For the PA, Jacobs's defection is a double win: it adds youth credibility and simultaneously punctures the DA's image of generational renewal. Jacobs brings with him media savvy, a following among young voters, and a political narrative of personal conviction—assets that the PA will seek to deploy strategically. Conversely, the DA lost a youthful, dynamic figure who embodied its future-facing posture, weakening its appeal among younger Coloured voters. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Though seemingly personal, Jacobs's switch is also emblematic. The PA's timing, launching the announcement over Youth Day weekend, maximised symbolic impact. The message was clear: the PA is positioning itself not merely as an alternative but as a bold, rising contender capable of luring the best from its in South Africa, like elsewhere, is not merely policy-driven; it is strategic theatre. The PA's presentation of Jacobs's defection was a textbook example of narrative manipulation, media exploitation, and timing. The move was less about resigning from the DA and more about rebranding his political image. This act of political theatre was designed to win the optics war and shift public discourse in the PA's favour. Rather than a traditional press release, the livestream announcement created drama and spectacle. The calculated use of symbolism, party colours, and public display redefined the terrain of defection as performance. The timing was masterful—aligned with Youth Day, the moment resonated with generational symbolism and highlighted the PA's appeal to younger voters. Outmanoeuvring political opponents involves strategic deception, calculated exposure, and seizing narrative control. Jacobs's surprise appearance placed the DA on the defensive, enhancing the PA's image as a tactically agile force. This was more than recruitment; it was symbolic conquest. The PA not only gained a voice; it gained validation and attention. Such moves are not merely acts of addition but of transformation. They may shift voter psychology, attract floating constituencies, and redefine political branding. Politics, ultimately, is about winning, gaining ground, disrupting opponents, and capturing the public imagination. Jacobs's defection did all three. More than individual repositioning, Jacobs's crossover signals a broader strategy: expanding the PA's support base among Coloured voters, particularly the youth. The DA has historically dominated this demographic, especially in the Western Cape, where Coloured South Africans make up 42.1% of the population. At its height in 2014, the DA secured 59.4% of the provincial vote. By 2024, this dropped to 55.3%. The PA, which had no presence in 2014, secured 7.8% in 2024. If the PA increases its share to 15–20%, the DA's majority could collapse. While symbolic events don't guarantee electoral gains, they catalyse momentum. Jacobs's defection could accelerate shifts in allegiance among young and disenchanted voters. Jacobs embodies the very electorate the PA is targeting: young, urban, Coloured voters who feel increasingly alienated by the DA's leadership and messaging. His move could serve as a tipping point for similar realignments across constituencies where the DA is vulnerable. It can be argued that Jacobs's defection qualifies as a coup. It was timed for maximum effect, targeted at a key demographic, and delivered in a format tailored to 21st-century political engagement. In undermining the DA's claim to youth-driven leadership renewal, the PA scored a decisive symbolic Jacobs's history of publicly challenging McKenzie in Parliament adds to the drama.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Youth Day 2025: ANC calls on young South Africans to continue the struggle for equality
ANC commemorates Youth Day 2025 with a tribute to the fearless Class of 1976 and a call for today's youth to lead the fight against modern struggles. The African National Congress (ANC) has marked Youth Day 2025 with a stirring tribute to the 'militant and fearless Class of 1976,' while calling on today's youth to pick up the baton and lead the charge against poverty, inequality, and socio-economic exclusion. ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party joins millions of South Africans in commemorating Youth Day, a solemn and powerful day etched in the collective consciousness of our nation. Bhengu reminded the country that June 16, 1976, marks an unforgettable day when 'a vicious regime declared war on schoolchildren who dared to dream of freedom.' 'The bravery of the Class of 1976 is a lasting reminder of the power of youth to drive profound political and social transformation,' she said.
The South African
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Protests break out on Youth Day 2025: Areas to avoid
Protests erupted ahead of the government's Youth Day 2025 celebrations in Potchefstroom in the North West. Several key events are expected to kick off today to commemorate 16 June. Deputy President Paul Mashatile is set to deliver the keynote address at North West University's Rag Farm Stadium in Potchefstroom. However, community members are protesting outside the area, demanding jobs and better service delivery. The event is expected to kick off at 9 am. The theme for this year's celebrations is 'Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation'. According to the Presidency, the Youth Day event will call for government entities and their strategic partners to accelerate and enhance meaningful interventions. While also bridging the gap between skills development programmes and services available for youth to realise economic gain. Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema is set to address the party's 16 June rally at King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal. The political party's Manqoba Dlamini spoke to SABC News during the memorial service of a student activist, Mlungisi Madonsela, who was fatally shot in 2019 after an altercation outside the Steve Biko campus in Durban. Dlamini said the 16 June event will be held to address the country's injustices, while also addressing Madonsela's case. The event is expected to take place at 12 pm. uMkhonto weSizwe Party president, Jacob Zuma, will deliver his keynote speech today at the Christianenburg Sports Stadium in Clermont, Durban. The Youth Day celebrations will also serve as the political party's official launch of the MK Youth League. Meanwhile, in Mpumalanga, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will host a Youth Day March at 11:15 am. The party says it plans to champion jobs and dignity. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Melaka Unemployment Rate Down To 1.8 Pct In Q4 2024
REGION - SOUTHERN > NEWS MELAKA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The unemployment rate in Melaka for the fourth quarter (Q4) of last year dropped to 1.8 per cent, down from 2.6 per cent in 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said. He said the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the state government's policies in creating job opportunities, especially for the youth in Melaka. 'Today, Melaka is home to more than 200,000 youths. They are not just a number, they represent the future energy of the state and the country, and are among the most valuable assets that will shape Melaka's future,' he said. bootstrap slideshow 'Therefore, various initiatives have been and continue to be implemented, focusing on job marketability, entrepreneurship, education, personal development, as well as social and religious values. He said this after officiating the state-level Youth Day 2025 celebration last night, which was also attended by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim and the state Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Datuk V.P. Shanmugam. Ab Rauf said the state government is focused on empowering skilled youths by strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet industry needs and position Melaka as the national TVET centre, ensuring its youth remain competitive and preferred by employers. He said his administration is committed to involving youth not just in programmes but from planning to policy implementation. Confident in the strong government-youth relationship, he believes it will nurture visionary and competitive young leaders, and the state government will continue providing infrastructure, opportunities, and guidance to ensure sustainable youth development. He said the state government established a Youth State Assembly with 33 representatives from each state constituency to provide leadership training and involve youth in grassroots policy-making.
