23 May 2024

/ The Wrap /

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Have you decided who you’re voting for? We have some tips below to help guide you on who you definitely SHOULDN’T vote for. Plus we feel all warm and fuzzy about the gees on display as South Africans abroad voted - remember that we have a widely-respected and efficient election system to be proud of. We also give you the latest on important world news and celebrate our Olympic athletes plus our first woman Chief Justice. 🙌

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. 😄

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OUR TAKE: Here's who we think you should vote for

Voting day is next Wednesday, and if you're like any other South African, you're not exactly looking forward to it. Our political parties leave much to be desired, and most citizens are a little over it all by now.

Last week, we told you that the best way to figure out who to vote for wouldn't be by looking at what a party promises in its manifesto. Rather, it would be seeing how they have operated in the past when they have been close to or in governing power. Our guess is you haven't had time to do the homework yet. Our big takeaway and this is going to be hella controversial, is that there are certain parties you just SHOULDN'T vote for if corruption is top of mind for you.

🔹ANC: In spite of its historical role in ending apartheid, the ANC's modern-day scandals and abuse of public funds are too numerous to count. Plus, the electorate gave them a major second chance after President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to clean up, but he continued to put the party ahead of the country. The damage done to Transnet alone (and the huge cost to our economy) under his tenure is unforgivable. 

🔹EFF: They are by far the most charismatic political party and the only ones who can really claim to speak for many young South Africans. Interestingly enough, they also have the best just energy transition ideas in their manifesto, and their leaders' commitment to ongoing personal education is impressive. But despite all their promise, the weight of evidence of corrupt activities by its leaders is just too heavy: from the VBS bank scandal to corruption allegations when they were in a sort-of coalition running Johannesburg, plus dating back to leader Julius Malema's alleged benefiting from tender fraud in Limpopo's roads in his previous life as ANC Youth League leader.

🔹The Mkhonto weSizwe Party (MK): The fact that Jacob Zuma is their mascot tells you all you need to know about how this party will handle public funds should they get their hands on it. Ten years of Gupta-assisted state capture taught us Zuma saw the public purse less as a means for effective service delivery and more as his personal piggy bank.

🔹Notable mentions: The Patriotic Alliance and Al Jama-ah's switching support for inept coalitions don't inspire confidence, and neither does the UDM after the performance of its reportedly wildly corrupt mayor, Mongameli Bobani, in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

When it comes to actual abuse of public funds, the ones we mention above take the cake. If stopping corruption is important to you, don't vote for them.  There are, of course, loads of issues plaguing the rest, including the opposition DA, who has a terrible track record on basic EQ and race. Patricia de Lille's Good is a rampant political opportunist, while Herman Mashaba's ActionSA is horribly xenophobic, while newbies Bosa and RISE Mzansi are untested. No one is perfect, so pick your battle come Wednesday, and at the very least, let's try to curb the irredeemably corrupt getting more power.

THE BIG STORY: SA's next potential chief justice is a woman. Here's why that matters
 

We are about to see history made in SA with our first female chief justice! 💃

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has recommended Judge Mandisa Maya succeed Raymond Zondo as the next Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (ConCourt). She has been Deputy Chief Justice since 2022 and is the only candidate for the job preferred by Ramaphosa. Thus, it is highly likely that she will assume the role.

The Chief Justice is the head of the ConCourt and the entire judicial system. They are the most senior judges and also play a role in shaping the practical and administrative aspects of our courts. The ConCourt is the highest court for constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) is the highest court for ordinary matters. 

Maya, a trailblazer in her own right, was the first woman president of the SCA, the second-highest court in the land. Back in 2022, she was in line to be the next chief justice, but Ramaphosa chose Zondo and appointed Maya as his deputy, a decision that has now paved the way for her potential appointment. 

Answering the JSC on Tuesday, Maya said that while there were challenges in SA's judicial system, including safety, huge caseloads and poor infrastructure, the work was exhilarating. "I have not worked as hard in my entire life than I have in the last 20 months," she said.

Currently, 11 judges sit on the bench, but Maya suggested increasing this to 15 to accommodate the court's massive workload. The top court has been criticised for taking too long to deliver judgments, but Maya said judges barely sleep trying to get through everything and noted there was an added weight as the apex court. Remember, one can only appeal a legal decision all the way to the ConCourt (if it is indeed a constitutional matter) and no further. 

Maya is not without her critics. Journalist Rebecca Davis argued that while there was much to celebrate about the appointment, a greater degree of scrutiny and analysis would have been "comforting". RISE Mzansi's Songezo Zibi has criticised Maya's handling of the IEC v Mkhonto weSizwe hearing, where she allowed Dali Mpofu SC to exceed his allocated time, in violation of the Concourt's directives (and the loud buzzer). 

But she has a potential 12-year term ahead of her to make her mark. Ultimately, this appointment will significantly advance gender representation in SA's legal system. Yay, Justice Maya!

South Africans abroad have begun voting, ahead of the big event for the rest of us next week Wednesday. With over 78,000 registered voters at 111 global missions, this past special election weekend showcased the spirit of democracy among South Africans, and let’s be honest, it also showcased our unparalleled talent for turning any queue into a social event. 🤭

In London, it felt like a mini South African festival—think biltong snacks and rounds of “Shosholoza” being belted out. From the Netherlands to Australia, Mauritius, the USA, Spain, France, and Abu Dhabi, South Africans showed up in droves this Saturday. Many stood in queues for hours, proudly wearing their Springbok rugby shirts, turning it into quite the event.

These special votes ensure that those who can’t make it on the main election day still get to have their say. 

The IEC has confirmed that all ballots, both cast and unused, from these missions are being securely sent back to South Africa. They’ll be verified and counted, with all the party reps and observers watching closely. We’re still waiting on the exact turnout numbers until after the main election day on May 29, but the buzz and participation at these overseas stations are already painting a pretty positive picture of our commitment to democracy.

Now, with the overseas voting all wrapped up, the Electoral Commission is turning its attention to the special in-country voting happening on May 27 and 28. Just like our global compatriots demonstrated, every vote is crucial. This upcoming election is shaping up to be a game-changer for our nation, so get ready to do your bit. (If you read this newsletter, we really hope you registered to vote!)

Here's the latest in the ongoing, Jacob Zuma, will he/will he not run for parliament saga: the ConCourt just decided that the former president can't run in the upcoming May 29 elections. Yep, on Monday, it ruled that his criminal record means he cannot be a Member of Parliament (MP). This is a big deal for his future in politics and his MK Party.

Even though Ramaphosa gave Zuma a sort of "get-out-of-jail-early" pass back in 2021, letting him out after serving less than three months of a 15-month sentence, the court said that doesn't change the fact that the law bars those who have been convicted of a crime from becoming an MP for at least five years after the conviction. Originally, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said he couldn't run, but then the Electoral Court flipped that decision—only for the ConCourt to flip it right back, sticking with the IEC's first call.

The ConCourt criticised the Electoral Court's interpretation of the law, stating it undermined judicial authority and the rule of law. That's legal speak for 'what were you thinking?' 

As for Zuma, this is just another rough spot on a pretty bumpy road. But don't underestimate him; he's bounced back before. He's got a knack for spinning his legal troubles into a "poor me" story that really hits home with his followers. Even though he's out of the race for Parliament, this might just rally his base even more.

And guess what? Zuma's face is still going to be on the ballot papers—yeah, they're already printed. His image pulls a lot of weight, especially in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal. Plus, his party, MK, isn't exactly out of the game. A recent Ipsos poll showing an 8.4% support and a big rally in Soweto are signs of life. Let's see if that turns into actual votes.

With the ConCourt's decision, the IEC can finally get on with election prep without more drama. So, while Zuma's immediate plans for political office are on hold, keep an eye on him. His ability to turn setbacks into opportunities is nothing short of remarkable. This election might just be the beginning of another twist in the ongoing saga of Jacob Zuma. Stay tuned!

South African sports stars are gearing up to make us all proud in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, and hopefully bring home a couple of medals. 🏅

SA’s initial squad for Paris 2024, scheduled to begin on 24 July, includes big names like swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker, sprinters Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine, surfer Jordy Smith, and swimmer Chad le Clos. Harry Saner made headlines by becoming the first fencer to secure a spot in the squad since 2008. Athletics, boxing, and swimming tend to be our top medal-producing sports.

Paralympics will start on 28 August, less than 100 days away. Team SA’s preparations are underway, shown by a strong performance at the Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe, Japan.

🔹South African sprinter Mpumelelo Mhlongo clinched the gold medal in the T44 men's 100m race, crossing the finish line in 11.34 seconds and leaving his competitors trailing by 0.43 seconds. The T44 category is for athletes with below-knee amputation or those who can walk with moderate functional impairment in one or both legs. (This happens to be the category SA’s former golden boy, Oscar Pistorius, used to compete in…)

🔹Liezel Gouws secured bronze in the women’s 400m T37 (Category for coordination impairments) with a season-best time of 1:08.23. 

🔹Louzanne Coetzee, with her guide Estean Badenhorst, added another bronze in the women’s 1500m T11 (Category for Vision impairment), finishing in 4:50.78. 

SA took home one gold and two silver medals at the last Olympic games in Tokyo in 2020. The next SA athlete to cinch a gold medal will receive R400,000, while their coaches will get R100,000. But according to Schoenmaker, who brought home a gold AND silver medal last time, these incentives are a secondary factor to their performance. Ultimately, our athletes want to show the world what South African grit and determination are all about. 💪

Justice in Palestine? It’s getting closer. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday. Three senior Hamas leaders have also been named and are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Two days later, the leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced that their countries would recognise a Palestinian state. This is important as the USA and Western Europe are some of the last territories on earth to do so.

Both developments are big for the ongoing effort for justice in Palestine. 

The ICC’s decision was prompted in part by the increasingly horrific conditions in Rafah. We told you last week about the city right at the bottom of the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt, where millions of civilians fled after attacks by Israel’s army first began in the north in October last year. This was in retaliation to attacks by Hamas on southern Israel shortly before. 

These civilians have effectively been herded into Rafah and trapped: To the north is destruction, and to the south, Egypt’s President has refused to open the border, saying it would effectively help Israel annihilate the Palestinians as a people. It’s also true that an influx of millions of refugees overnight would be a humanitarian and economic catastrophe for Egypt. 

Now, Israel’s army has begun a bombing campaign in Rafah and has blocked humanitarian aid, triggering a potential humanitarian catastrophe. 

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing war crimes in Gaza, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war, murder, extermination, and intentional attacks on civilians. On the other side, Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh are accused of crimes such as extermination, murder, hostage-taking, rape, and torture.

Reaction has been intense, especially from Netanyahu and his ally, US President Joe Biden. But, as Khan pointed out, it’s important that all world leaders be held equally accountable… this after some senior Western leaders apparently privately told Khan that the ICC is only intended for “Africa and thugs like Putin.” 😳 However, this IS indeed the first time that the ICC prosecutor has gone after a Western leader. 

What comes next?

The ICC's pre-trial judges will now assess the evidence to decide if the arrest warrants should be upheld. Although the court has no direct way to enforce these warrants, member states of the ICC (124 countries) must arrest the named individuals if they enter their territory. It’s unlikely. But it’s a line in the sand.

Cancer is one of the scariest diseases out there, and it afflicted over 100,000 South Africans in 2022 (with more than 60,000 dying of it), according to the World Health Organisation. 

Thankfully, scientists are always looking for solutions to the burden of cancer. Here are three of the most exciting breakthroughs: 

🔹One of Australia's most respected academics, Professor Richard Scolyer, has announced that he is cancer-free after undergoing a first-of-its-kind treatment for glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Scolyer and a colleague previously discovered that immunotherapy is more effective when a certain combination of drugs is administered before surgery to remove a tumour. This insight led Scolyer to become the first brain cancer patient to receive combination pre-surgery immunotherapy last year. He was also the first to receive a personalised vaccine tailored to his tumour's characteristics, enhancing the drugs' ability to detect and fight the cancer.

🔹 Scientists at Oxford University have discovered proteins in the blood that could warn people of their cancer risk… seven years in advance! They conducted two studies in which they identified 618 proteins linked to 19 different types of cancer, including 107 proteins in a group of people whose blood was collected at least seven years before diagnosis. While the studies show promise, the research team has stressed that more research on the role of proteins in cancer development is still needed. 

🔹A newfound ability to preserve breast tissue in a special gel solution outside the body is helping scientists test the most appropriate drugs on living tissue to treat and prevent breast cancer. "Ultimately, this means that women can take the most effective drug for their particular genetic makeup," said Dr Hannah Harrison, a research fellow at the University of Manchester.

These continuous efforts to push the boundaries of medical science move society closer to a cancer-free future. 💙

It's been a whirlwind week on the global stage, but if you've been too preoccupied with SA's own dramatics, here is what you missed. 

🔹UK elections coming in July 

Brits will head to the polls on 4 July after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election yesterday, an earlier date than many predicted. This despite his Conservative Party, aka "Tories," facing widespread public dissatisfaction and trailing the opposition Labour Party in recent polls by over 20 points. 🤔 What can he be thinking?

The Guardian calls it damage control and says that had he waited, the competition would have done even better, especially as the sluggish UK economy is finally showing positive signs. 

Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022 after the turbulent tenures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. That's right, he's the third Conservative Prime Minister in just five years. It's like an uptight game of musical chairs but with zero safety net, social or otherwise, and losers are sent to Rwanda. 😆

The Conservative Party has been in power for 14 years, the longest reign for a UK party in the modern era. However, its popularity has waned since 2019, with many voters feeling that the chaotic ruling party has turned the UK into a "sinking ship". 

🔹 Iran's President dies in tragic helicopter crash

Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, has died in a helicopter crash, along with nine other officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. 

What does this mean for Iran? Well, it's a bit of a shake-up. Raisi, a hardline president at 63, was seen as a possible successor to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death leaves a significant gap in Iran's political scene in the midst of ongoing tensions with the West, especially the USA and Israel. For now, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has stepped in as acting president, but new elections are set for 28 June. (So many elections across the world this year!)

🔹Slovakia Prime Minister survives failed assassination attempt

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is in stable condition and communicating after an assassination attempt last week that left the nation in shock. The 59-year-old PM was shot five times while leaving a meeting but is now in stable condition.

The suspected shooter, 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, has been charged with attempted murder. The political fallout has been immediate and intense. Fico's allies are pointing fingers at the opposition and the media, accusing them of stirring up hate, deepening divisions in an already polarised country.

Fico’s stance against military aid to Ukraine and his attempts to control the media have sparked protests and criticism. The recent attempt on his life has only intensified the spotlight on these issues.

That’s it from us at The Wrap, a 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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Till next time, goodbye from the team. ✌️