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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All posts tagged under »politics«
Political interference and the unions
February 11, 2017
The attempt by labour minister Mildred Oliphant — including a couple of lengthy and costly court battles — to interfere in trade union administration was slapped down hard on January 26. The labour appeal court ruled that her instruction to the registrar of labour relations to withdraw action against a defaulting Cosatu union and her […]
Time to seek the real state of nations
February 11, 2017
This week brought us, in South Africa, another State of the Nation address (SONA) and, like its predecessors, it will probably be best remembered for the fashion parade on parliament’s red carpet and the punch up on the floor of paliament. There was also the usual post speech analysis of what was seen generally as […]
Davos: a far cry from responsive & responsible leadership
January 22, 2017
The world’s most expensive and probably most successful public relations exercise concluded in Switzerland this week: the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos. But this private club of some of the richest men in the world is responsible for the very ills they claim to be trying to remedy.
A week of dashed expectations
November 26, 2016
There were hopes in South Africa over the past week that the growing disgruntlement with President Jacob Zuma would result in positive moves for his removal. And there were also hopes, especially among the low paid, that a minimum wage declaration would result in quite prompt relief. But such hopes were dashed.
Confusion reigns in SA — as does Zuma
November 12, 2016
A major political battle was won and lost in South Africa over the past week and more. But the war is far from over and — contrary to most media expectations — beleaguered president, Jacob Zuma remains in charge.
SA protests: governance is the real issue
October 16, 2016
Several trade unions and many protesting Fees Must Fall students in South Africa directed their anger at the wrong targets over the past week since the fundamental problem is democratic governance. Unless this is dealt with, the rot in the body politic will remain.
Free education: only political will is missing
October 7, 2016
As campus chaos continues in South Africa, a simple fact should be borne in mind: the country has sufficient funds to provide free, quality education for all. However, the political will to source and to allocate such funds is currently missing.
Terry Bell Writes 
A tweet too far on Singapore
March 23, 2017
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Helen Zille, former leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance and premier of South Africa's Western Cape province, tweets that we should look for inspiration to Singapore. Yet this is an authoritarian city state that does not tolerate opposition.