Editor's note

Not a week goes by in South Africa without a development that points to growing discord over Jacob Zuma’s presidency. And, increasingly, those opposing him are turning to the courts. Last week the  Constitutional Court was asked to rule on whether or not parliamentarians should be allowed a secret ballot when voting on a motion of no confidence in the president. The court said it was up to the speaker of parliament to make the decision. But, writes Richard Calland, Zuma has already made it clear that he expects the speaker to decide that a secret ballot is inappropriate - or unnecessary.

Tribal politics in Kenya has given rise to corruption, marginalisation, disenfranchisement of communities and full-blown violence. A stock take of the present ethnic reality shows that tribalism is more entrenched than ever. Daisy Maritim-Maina makes a case for the politics of ideology as the country heads into a general election.

Charles Leonard

Arts & Culture Editor

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South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma isn’t blinking despite suffering another resounding loss in the Constitutional Court. Reuters/Mike Hutchings

South Africa's Jacob Zuma is fast running out of political lives

Richard Calland, University of Cape Town

President Jacob Zuma has been brought to book repeatedly by South Africa's courts. He also faces a rising tide of discontent. One way or another, he seems to be running out of political lives.

Politics + Society

Business + Economy

Environment + Energy

Health + Medicine

  • Open, free access to health evidence: a new precedent for Africa

    Charles Shey Wiysonge, South African Medical Research Council; Jimmy Volmink, Stellenbosch University

    South Africa has become the first country on the continent to purchase a national licence to the Cochrane library -- giving everyone access to evidence-based information about health care.

Science + Technology

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