Hi there. 🙋🏽♀️
The coalition government hasn’t even started, and the DA and the ANC are already at it. To think we were feeling so positive after a wonderful inauguration ceremony yesterday for our re-elected president! We break down what’s happening – and a possible solution; plus take you through a couple of other controversies that got our attention this week in the local news landscape – from kidnapped MPs to… racist MPs. Plus, we round up what’s worth streaming this weekend and how weight loss drugs are damaging SA’s public health care.
So, let’s dive into your weekly update of empowering and easy-to-understand news, brought to you by Verashni Pillay and the explain.co.za team. 😄
Format:
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▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 1. OUR TAKE: GNU squabbles show DA and ANC need to find a mediator
The ink has barely dried on the coalition agreement between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), and trouble has already begun.
The two parties, along with the IFP, signed a letter of intent last week that enabled the ANC’s Cyril Ramaphosa to be voted in as president for a second term—despite his party only getting 40% in the recent national elections.
But now the DA isn’t feeling the ANC inviting others to the Government of National Unity (GNU) party, and it’s being vocal about it.
The DA insists the agreement states they should have a say about other parties being invited, while the ANC doesn’t believe this to be the case. The DA’s ire was raised by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) accepting the invite—it’s worth noting the ANC invited ALL parties represented in parliament.
Now, we agree that the PA isn’t great. Its leader, Gayton McKenzie, is a divisive, populist leader and former convict who did a terrible job of running the Central Karoo District Municipality as mayor.
But the PA is a 2% party that would probably have been thrown a bone in the cabinet and been happy with it despite not having much power. The DA and its federal executive chairperson Helen Zille, in particular, choosing this hill to die on barely a week after the coalition was agreed upon isn’t the best strategic play. Consider that they would be given MUCH more power if the composition of the KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet is anything to go by. (The DA heads the powerful finance and public works portfolios).
Our view is that this sort of public bickering and disagreement from coalition partners is REALLY bad for citizens—and the market and investment community, which have responded really well to recent developments. (The rand strengthened against the dollar this week, and there is talk of credit rating agencies eventually lifting us out of junk status.)
Instead of running to journalists as the DA has been doing this week, the coalition partners should make use of an independent mediator to resolve this and other issues as they crop up. Because crop up, they will.
Otherwise, the ANC should consider going back to a minimal “confidence and supply” arrangement, with the DA in control of parly in exchange for the ANC running cabinet as they see fit.
Either way, what we really need is stability and a sense of certainty. It’s time for our parties to mature and accept that the electorate is forcing them to work together.
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 2. BIG STORY: DA member Renaldo Gouws suspended over racist video
The DA has suspended its member of parliament, Renaldo Gouws, after an old video of him resurfaced online that could make Justine Sacco feel a bit better about her infamous tweet. This is after several other of Gouws’ videos have come to light containing racist and homophobic sentiments.
The video, reportedly archived since 2012, shows a younger Gouws making shocking racist and derogatory remarks that the DA initially seemed to hope were digitally altered or “deep fakes.” However, after authentication, the party had to face the grim reality that the footage was indeed genuine, leading to Gouws’ suspension pending further investigation.
In the video, Gouws is heard saying the K-word and N-word repeatedly, trying to make a point about the EFF’s “kill the boer” song controversy.
“I refute any claims of racism or being a racist,” said Gouws, however with the damning video evidence circulating the internet, it’s a difficult claim to dispute.
On Wednesday, the DA’s chief whip in Siviwe Gwarube stated that the incident is being investigated by the party’s highest decision-making body led by Helen Zille (who ironically has had her fair share of race-related internet faux pas). “We have noted the videos that have come to light that were taken about 16 years ago by now the member of parliament in our caucus. Of course, we rebuke any kind of racism and homophobia in any kind or form,” said Gwarube.
Gouws, previously a Nelson Mandela Bay councillor and a prominent figure on YouTube, where he often discussed racial issues, now faces a storm of public backlash. An online petition calling for his removal has garnered over 50,000 signatures.
In response, Gouws expressed regret for his past remarks, attributing them to youthful naivety and an ill-advised attempt at humour. However, the damage seems irreparable as legal proceedings loom, including potential action from the South African Human Rights Commission.
We’re not too sure if Gouws’ “I was young and stupid” excuses will suffice to navigate him through this storm of public outrage.
It goes without saying that this is not the best way to start a parliamentary career. Gouws had been an MP for roughly a week before the controversy erupted, marking what might be one of the shortest-lived political careers in recent memory.
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ Briefs
3. Halala Cupcake: Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as President
Ramaphosa was inaugurated yesterday at a Union Building ceremony that left South Africans with all the patriotic feels. There was an inspiring speech about coming together. There were accomplished black female pilots flying jets. And there was even Vicky Sampson waving a giant SA flag and singing “My African Dream”, her Mandela-era hit, making us believe the rainbow nation may just triumph after all.
This will be Ramaphosa’s second term as president of the republic and leader of the seventh administration. Here are some of the key moments from the day:
🔹 The ceremony kicked off as usual with interfaith prayers by various religious leaders. This was particularly poignant given the ongoing crisis in Gaza and religious enmity across the world. As one popular tweet put it: “Which other country has Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and African traditional prayers ahead of their presidential inauguration? The level of multiculturalism and interfaith diversity in South Africa is a beautiful thing. We must protect it.”
🔹We’re not feeling Zimbabwean Ambassador to SA, David Hamadziripi. He hailed South Africa’s opposition parties for “respecting electoral outcomes”, claiming Zimbabwean opposition parties made allegations instead of following the law. This was such a blatantly false and politically loaded point. An Amnesty International report just this week notes that Zimbabwean authorities have arbitrarily detained and possibly tortured more than 70 members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party.
🔹South Africans were taken by the clear love between Ramaphosa and the first lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe. After being sworn into office, the president kissed his wife before sitting down, and she said a few words to him that seemed to make him blush. This prompted a guessing game over what was said across social media, radio station call-ins and more. 🥰 Unfortunately, Dr Motsepe, who has been married to Ramaphosa for over 27 years, also faced vitriolic comments on social media over her appearance, with one user saying that Motsepe looked “old enough to be his (the president) mother.” They’re both 71 years old! Motsepe also happens to be a highly accomplished medical doctor, businesswoman and philanthropist with a Master’s Degree from Harvard School of Public Health… and we think she looked just beautiful at the inauguration.
Notable in their absence were Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) members of parliament, who instead chose to support their leader, Julius Malema, at his firearm discharge case at the East London Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape. Malema faces charges over firing a rifle at the EFF’s fifth birthday celebrations in the Eastern Cape in 2018.
Unsurprisingly, former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party boycotted the inauguration.
Now, the real work begins as we wait for President Cupcake to announce his cabinet. The Constitution of South Africa doesn’t give the president a timeline for executive appointments, but we hope it’s soon. Curiosity is killing us! Stay tuned to the movie that is South Africa!
4. RIP print: Media24 to close five newspapers
Well, folks, it’s official. The ink has dried on the final editions of some of South Africa’s most beloved newspapers. Media giant Media24 has announced the closure of five print newspapers, transitioning three of them to digital-only formats and cutting 400 jobs as a result. 😱
Beeld, Rapport, City Press, Daily Sun, and Soccer Laduma are among the newspapers that will no longer grace your breakfast table in their traditional print form from 30 September.
Rapport and City Press will now be housed on Netwerk24 and News24, respectively, while Daily Sun will continue its journey as a standalone, free e-news site.
Over the past 24 years, these newspapers’ circulation plummeted:
- Rapport from around 335,000 to 60,000
- City Press from 233,000 to 14,000
- Beeld from over 100,000 to 20,000
Besides the 400 axed jobs, an additional 400 positions will transfer to Novus Holdings with the sale of Media24’s community newspaper portfolio and media logistics operations.
The consequences of shrinking newsrooms extend beyond job losses, however. A reduced workforce means fewer stories get covered, and critical local news might fall through the cracks.
Plus, media diversity suffers. Local news behemoth News24 will essentially absorb some of these various titles with their once-unique voices, audiences and takes on society, and that’s bad for democracy.
The South African National Editors’ Forum also noted that these these entities are crucial for holding power to account.
Independent and community media are now more important than ever. Thanks for supporting us in our independent media efforts! Here’s to a plurality of media voices and spaces. 💪🏾
5. UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa rescued after R10k ransom drama
In a tale that sounds more like a Hollywood drama than real life, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa found himself the star of an unexpected adventure on Tuesday.
Kwankwa, fresh from a haircut, was en route to the airport to travel to Pretoria for President Ramaphosa’s inauguration when he was abducted by armed men in Driftsands, Mfuleni. It’s worth noting he has something of an online fan club that to his dashing looks. 😆
One can only imagine the scene: the debonair Kwankwa, with his freshly trimmed hair, suddenly in the clutches of armed men. Apparently not up-to-date on their political figures, the kidnappers first attempted to withdraw money from an ATM with Kwankwa in tow. This plan was quickly foiled by the presence of security personnel, forcing the kidnappers to go for a more straightforward approach – a ransom demand.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa confirmed the incident, stating that R10,000 was demanded and promptly paid to secure Kwankwa’s release.
The kidnappers used Kwankwa’s cell phone to make the ransom demand, which the UDM was quick to pay following threats from the kidnappers that, “If you delay, you will find him in a mortuary,” said Holomisa. “We’re happy at least that he’s alive; we have saved his life quickly because anything could’ve happened. We didn’t want to get involved in delaying paying this amount of money”. Holomisa added the kidnappers also took his car and all his belongings.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that the Western Cape Anti-Kidnapping Multidisciplinary Task Team is investigating the incident.
Now, the focus is on bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring our politicians can travel without starring in their own action movies. 👀
6. South Africa’s insulin pen shortage: When weight loss fads collide with health needs
Our beloved Mzansi is grappling with a shortage of vital diabetes devices and insulin pens, and the culprit is as surprising as it is frustrating: the booming demand for weight-loss drugs.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant that has been supplying South Africa with insulin pens for over a decade, decided not to renew its contract last month, leaving our public health system scrambling. No other company has stepped up to bid for the 14 million pens needed over the next three years. Instead, Novo Nordisk is prioritising its more lucrative weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, which use similar delivery devices.
Now, let’s talk about those weight-loss drugs for a moment. You might have heard of Ozempic and Wegovy, especially if you follow the latest celebrity trends. These drugs are flying off the shelves faster than a Black Friday sale, thanks to their appetite-suppressing magic. But here’s the kicker: a month’s supply of Ozempic in the U.S. costs about $1,000, compared to around $2 per insulin pen. So, it’s no wonder Novo Nordisk is focusing on the more profitable option.
Celebrities, of course, are leading the charge in this weight-loss frenzy. Social media is abuzz with tales of stars shedding pounds thanks to these diabetes medications. Khloé Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey are among the many A-listers accused of dabbling with these ‘miracle’ drugs. But while they flaunt their slimmer physiques, diabetes patients are left scrambling for alternatives.
Diabetes patients are now tasked with having to measure their insulin dosages themselves, multiple times a day, instead of simply clicking a pen, increasing the risk of an overdose or underdose significantly. Insulin pens are preferred for their ease of use and precision.
The National Department of Health (NDoH) has instructed clinicians to reserve the remaining pen stock for those who will struggle most with vials and syringes, such as small children, the elderly, and the visually impaired.
The NDoH is working on securing alternative supplies, but this takes time. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in South Africa, and managing it effectively is crucial.
In the battle between waistlines and well-being, South Africa’s insulin pen shortage should remind us that health should always trump trends.
7. Goodbye Wilgenhof, hello renewal: Stellies’ dark residence slated for closure
It seems the ghosts of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) past have finally come back to haunt one of its oldest and most controversial residences. Wilgenhof Residence is set to be closed following months of digging (both metaphorically and perhaps literally) by an expert panel, culminating in a 151-page report.
The decision, announced last week, comes after a routine residence check in January uncovered “disturbing items” in two rooms at Wilgenhof. These included used condoms, crude drawings of sexually explicit initiation acts, as well as costumes and hoods reminiscent of an executioner or the infamous Ku Klux Klan. 😳
The paraphernalia is linked to the Nagligte, an unofficial disciplinary committee dating back over 100 years that was notorious for its brutal initiation rituals. Photos and records discovered in the two rooms show Nagligte was active as recently as 2021.
These items painted a grim picture of a culture steeped in white supremacy and abusive practices – not exactly the kind of memorabilia you want in your university’s scrapbook.
“Given the body of evidence presented by our expert panel, we have accepted its main recommendation that the closure of the Wilgenhof residence is the appropriate action going forward,” said SU Rector Professor Wim de Villiers. The decision now awaits the final nod from the University Council, which is set to meet on 24 June. If approved, Wilgenhof will shut its doors at the end of the academic year, paving the way for a fresh start in 2025.
The panel, which included an experienced advocate from the Cape Bar, also recommended repurposing the building to align with the university’s values of inclusivity and transformation, with mention of a co-ed residence being established.
The Wilgenhof Alumni Association has labelled the closure a “serious mistake,” arguing that the residence’s traditions have been misunderstood. They’re pushing for dialogue and debate over closure.
However, other former Wilgenhof residents, as well as current students and staff, see the closure as a necessary step toward genuine transformation. We can’t help but agree.
8. Arrests, dragons and unlikely heroes: Your entertainment round-up
Now, while we may not be as notorious as Lady Whistledown (and certainly not as dull as Cressida Cowper!), we’re here to serve you a piping-hot wrap of entertainment news from around the globe. 🤭 So, grab a steaming cup of your favourite beverage (winter has arrived in South Africa), and let’s dive into the juicy details of what’s been happening.
🔹 Justin Timberlake has gone the way of many a former child star after he was arrested in Sag Harbor in The Hamptons, New York, and charged with driving under the influence on Tuesday morning. To add salt to the proverbial wound (and prove how far JT has fallen), the arresting officer reportedly did not recognise who he was. Timberlake claimed he had just one martini and was following a friend home when he was arrested after not stopping at a stop sign and driving on the wrong side of the road. Timberlake hasn’t been in the public’s good graces in the last few years following revelations of poor behaviour from Janet Jackson (remember Nipplegate?) and his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears.
🔹 Acclaimed Game of Thrones spinoff, House of The Dragon is back! The first episode of season two aired on Father’s Day and was appropriately titled A Son for A Son. 👀 The episode has been dubbed this season’s Red Wedding. Let’s just say that after this episode, you’ll never view your favourite Targaryen on either side the same way again. The Dance of the Dragons begins!
🔹 The long-awaited latter half of Bridgerton season 3 has been released, and it’s a tantalising treat – even if it’s crazy how long it takes for TV shows to film these days. The members of “The Ton” return, and you can expect a whirlwind of weddings, betrayal, and a twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat. We’ve said too much, but it’s worth the wait!
🔹 The Boys is back with its fourth season. If you’ve never watched this Amazon Prime show, it’s a dark comedy about a world where superheroes aren’t necessarily the good guys. It follows a group of vigilantes fed up with superheroes abusing their powers. In this world, superheroes – or “supes” – are treated like celebrities and work for a big corporation that makes money off them. But here’s the thing: most of these supes are pretty terrible people who only care about themselves. They’re arrogant, selfish, and corrupt (remind you of anyone?). And that’s where the vigilantes come in – they’re determined to take down these superheroes and show them that they’re not above the law.
What are you most excited about watching? Let us know!
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That’s it from us at The Wrap, an award-winning product of explain.co.za – simple news summaries for busy people. 💁🏾♀
The Wrap is sponsored by explain’s agency division. We specialise in content marketing for purpose-driven organisations, often with a pan-African reach. Mail info@explain.co.za for a quote.
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