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Stop smoking your Rooibos
ANTHONY BUTLER: Too much tea can make Covid-19 worse Use of various kinds, smoked or drunk, might increase spin or disinformation BL PREMIUM 18 FEBRUARY 2021 Covid-19 is messing with the minds of many good citizens. We should not make this problem worse by experimenting with illicit drugs. Research published in the Lancet late in …
Perils of the District Development Model
ANTHONY BUTLER: ANC plan to align three spheres could save it from electoral disaster The ‘district development model’ could make local government defer to national authorities First published in BusinessLive and Business Day 4 FEBRUARY 2021 The ANC’s recently concluded national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla was filled with virtual excitement. It addressed Covid-19, expropriation without …
Will local, national and provincial elections be merged?
ANTHONY BUTLER: Election unlikely to be postponed unless Malema gets his way BL PREMIUM 21 JANUARY 2021 Since the middle of 2020 some members of the ANC have been peddling specious arguments to justify a possible postponement of the scheduled 2021 local government elections. SA has a constitutionally prescribed five-year term for municipal councils, and …
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Santa Cyril’s year
ANTHONY BUTLER: Poor Subordinate Clauses, bereft of Santa’s crafty leadership First published in Business Day and Business Live 18 DECEMBER 2020 Ho ho ho! After a few trials and tribulations, we have finally arrived at the time of year when the little boys and girls across the land begin to gather outside their local bottle …
The Troubles of National Treasury
Beleaguered Treasury needs to be bolstered by Ramaphosa BusinessLive 03 DECEMBER 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa recently highlighted the need to address the shortcomings of the public service. But where to start? Maths teachers, health workers and civil engineers are scarce. Tenders have spawned rampant corruption. The poorest third of municipalities are close to collapse. Lines …
Conspiracy theories
ANTHONY BUTLER: It’s a conspiracy theory, but it might just be true First published in BL PREMIUM 19 NOVEMBER 2020 It is tempting to laugh at the QAnon conspiracy theory. Millions of advocates of this fairy-tale, mostly in the US, believe that Satan-worshipping elites — including liberal Hollywood actors, paedophile Democratic Party politicians, and blood-sucking …
Losing his Mojo or just losing his mind?
ANTHONY BUTLER: ANC internal democracy at stake as cadres mull authoritarian rule Group suggests that since the ANC is going to lose next year’s municipal elections, it should prevent the poll from taking place First published BL PREMIUM 05 NOVEMBER 2020 - ANTHONY BUTLER US President Donald Trump’s proposal on Wednesday was brilliant in its simplicity. …
Paul Mashatile’s presidential ambitions
ANTHONY BUTLER: Carcerophobia epidemic may lead to Ramaphosa’s downfall Business Day and BusinessLive 23 OCTOBER 2020 Will President Cyril Ramaphosa serve a second term as ANC leader? It is hard to evict an incumbent ANC president after just five years. Indeed the problem, as the careers of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma demonstrate, is that it …
Time for a Cabinet reshuffle
ANTHONY BUTLER: Paranoia in the cabinet signals a reshuffle is on the cards With ministers resorting to self-promotion and backstabbing, Cyril Ramaphosa needs to enrol competent recruits First published in BusinessLive 08 OCTOBER 2020 A cabinet reshuffle is an important political instrument for any national leader. In a fully presidential system the head of state …
Keeping the president healthy
ANTHONY BUTLER: Ramaphosa getting into the pound seats, in kilograms too The president is steadfastly accumulating power, but concern over his health is not misplaced BL PREMIUM24 SEPTEMBER 2020 - 17:13 ANTHONY BUTLER In the middle of an unprecedented economic and public health crisis, it is prudent to worry about your president’s health. This week …
