28 November 2024

/ The Wrap /

Hi there 🙋🏽‍♀️

So Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving today. Happy turkey day, you kids. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, a tense but promising ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been reached. Will it last?

Back home, we explore Zuma’s MK Party and its rogues' gallery of shady members, our GNU’s shaky stability (so far) and staying with politics; the EFF has taken the Phala Phala matter all the way to the ConCourt. We also celebrate rebel with a cause, poet Breyten Breytenbach, who passed away on Sunday, aged 85. What a life!

Lastly, a matric paper error has us side-eyeing examination boards, mealworms could save the environment, and we have two very mindful and cutesy words of the year. 

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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🔊 Voice note by Verashni

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OUR TAKE: Will Zuma’s MK Party last?

If your name ever found its way into Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s State Capture Report, Jacob Zuma’s MK Party might have a job for you. It seems that the former president has adopted a “come to me all of you who are (allegedly) corrupt” approach after he appointed convicted fraudster Joe Ndhlela as the party’s national organiser on Friday. 

In 2002, Ndhlela was convicted of three counts of fraud and one count of contravening the Companies Act in connection with his time as an executive at Transnet.

Now, as a national organiser, he will lead the MK Party’s political education, monitoring, governance and establishing structures. He replaces former EFF vice president Floyd Shivambu, who has been promoted to Secretary General of the party. And it’s a family affair: Ndhlela’s son, Nhlamulo, is the party’s spokesperson, and his brother is the former Sars Commissioner, Tom Moyane, who is also an MK Party member and has been fingered in state capture reports. 😬

The Ndhlela/Moyane clan isn’t the party’s only State Capture royalty. Here are a few more:

🔹Former Cape Judge President John Hlophe is the party’s parliamentary chief whip. He was impeached earlier this year in a historic removal. 

🔹Former Transet and Eskom CEO turned MK Party MP Brian Molefe was arrested in 2022 on corruption charges. This was linked to an R93-million corruption and fraud case involving purchasing locomotives for Transnet.

🔹Former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) CEO Lucky Montana is another state-capture accused, an MK Party MP. The Zondo Commission recommended that the NPA give “serious consideration” to prosecuting Montana and establishing a special commission of inquiry to investigate Prasa’s “slide into almost total ruin” during and after his tenure.

Meanwhile, the leading man himself, Zuma, was finally formally expelled from the ANC, also on Friday. In true Msholozi style, he has rejected his expulsion, saying that he does not recognise Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership of the ANC, but the decision stands.

But can the MK Party last with this calibre of leadership and the constant changes and turmoil we’ve told you about previously? Even if it has been enormously successful at the polls, it is powered by an ageing Zuma without a clear successor.

Yet, while it’s scary to think about, if the MK Party stopped playing musical chairs and chose more ethical leaders - or even just more organised ones like Shivambu - they stand a real chance of further disrupting the South African political landscape.  We’re keeping watch.

BIG STORY: Finally, good news from the Middle East? 

In a rare glimmer of hope for the Middle East, Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire after months of escalating violence along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The agreement, brokered by the US with backing from global and regional powers, is a significant attempt to de-escalate one of the many flashpoints in the region. Hezbollah will withdraw its fighters from southern Lebanon, while Israel has pledged to cease military operations in the area. Humanitarian corridors are to be established, ensuring aid reaches the hardest-hit communities in southern Lebanon.

This ceasefire is deeply intertwined with the ongoing war in Gaza, which began in October last year after a shock Hamas attack on Israel and the latter’s disproportionate response in effectively levelling Gaza. Hezbollah’s involvement in skirmishes along the border was seen as a direct response to the Gaza conflict, adding to the region’s volatility.

The deal has sparked mixed reactions. Celebrations erupted in Beirut, where residents welcomed the possibility of peace, yet scepticism persists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as a strategic success, claiming it significantly weakened Hezbollah’s capabilities. On the other hand, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem dismissed it as merely a “tactical pause”.

Internationally, the UN and EU cautiously welcomed the ceasefire, urging both sides to adhere to its terms. Analysts, however, warn that without addressing the deeper political and territorial disputes at the heart of the conflict, the agreement may only offer a temporary reprieve.

Remember, South Africa has initiated legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, citing alleged human rights violations in Gaza. 

While this ceasefire is a step forward, history serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead. Past agreements, like the 2006 Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, have often unravelled due to mutual distrust and unresolved grievances. For now, all eyes are on the region, hoping this fragile peace holds and paves the way for lasting stability.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference with Gordon Brown at Number 10 in 2009.  Credit: Downing Street/Flickr

It’s that time of the year again when you’re patiently waiting for your Spotify Wrapped, your YouTube Music Recap and, for some of us logophiles, the Word of The Year. To explain (our favourite pun), dictionaries from across the globe release their word of the year annually. Many things determine the choice of word, but in recent years, social media has dictated, nay, influenced (see what we did there?) words of the year.

Dictionary.com defines their word of the year as “a linguistic time capsule, reflecting social trends and global events that defined the year.” They’ve already chosen their word of the year and it’s very mindful and cutesy. Their word of the year, if you haven’t guessed or don’t speak TikTok, is ‘demure’.

The word had quite a year after a TikTok beauty influencer, Jools Lebron, posted a now viral video on 5 August 2024, describing how she gets ready for work. “You see how I do my make-up for work? Very demure, very mindful,” Lebron said to her now 2.3 million followers. 

The phrase “very demure, very mindful” quickly caught fire, with celebrities and brands hopping onto the trend. 

Another word the site considered was “brat”, which became famous thanks to musician Charli XCX. She tweeted that outgoing US vice president Kamala Harris, who ran for president but lost to Donald Trump, was ‘brat’ - the name of her acclaimed sixth album. It’s a reclaiming of the word and now means “someone who is confidently rebellious, unapologetically bold, and playfully defiant.” This one won out over at Collins Dictionary, who named it their 2024 word of the year.

In Mzansi, we last had a word of the year in 2023, courtesy of the Pan South African Language Board, and that word was ‘Kuningi’. It is an isiZulu word meaning “it’s a lot.” There is no word yet (hahaha) on this year’s word, but we won’t be too surprised should ‘demure’ make an appearance. 💁

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Dictionary with a yellow tassel. Credit: Pixabay

We all know the EFF is in trouble as Jacob Zuma’s MK Party steals its thunder - and leaders. So, is the party’s latest move to head to the Concourt over the Phala Phala matter just a political ploy to regain some of the spotlight?

On Tuesday, 2000 EFF members marched to the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, led by leader Julius Malema, ahead of court proceedings. The party is challenging Parliament’s handling of the Phala Phala farm scandal, alleging it failed to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable.

As you’ll remember, at the heart of the matter is a 2020 robbery at Ramaphosa’s Limpopo game farm, where foreign cash —allegedly $580,000 — was stolen after it was apparently hidden in a sofa. Former State Security boss Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of concealing the theft and violating foreign exchange laws. The President has denied wrongdoing, claiming the money was from game sales.

In December 2022, Parliament chose not to pursue the findings of an independent inquiry led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which found prima facie evidence of misconduct. Now the EFF is arguing this decision was unconstitutional, as it prevented a full impeachment inquiry into Ramaphosa. Advocate Kameel Premhid, representing the EFF, told the court on Tuesday that Parliament failed in its duty to scrutinise the executive. 👀

However, justices are questioning the timing of the matter, with several asking why it took as long as 14 months for the EFF to launch the application. The EFF began its legal challenge in February 2024, filing papers to have Parliament’s decision overturned. Justice Leona Theron said she was concerned that the party provided no explanation for the delay, Daily Maverick reported. 

The Constitutional Court's decision could have far-reaching implications for Ramaphosa’s political future. But legal processes take time, so don’t expect fireworks just yet. For Ramaphosa, the stakes couldn’t be higher. His administration has tried to project an image of reform and renewal after the Zuma years, but Phala Phala continues to cast a long shadow. Now it’s over to the Constitutional Court to decide whether Parliament dropped the ball.

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Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Julius Malema during the during the 2018 State of the Nation Address debate at the National Assembly, Cape Town. Credit: GovernmentZA/Flickr

Scientists have discovered a game-changing ally in the battle against plastic pollution: the mealworm larvae found in Kenya. These insects are found all over the world, but this particular type seems to have a special ability: it can eat polystyrene, the material that takeaways typically come in. Yup, you may be noshing down on a burger delivered by Uber Eats, but the Kenyan lesser mealworm would make a bee-line - or is that worm-line? - for its packaging. 🪱

Polystyrene is a plastic also found in electronics and industrial product packaging. It’s tough to break down, and the usual recycling methods—like heating or using chemicals—are not only expensive but can also cause further pollution. 

So, will we be releasing large numbers of these insects into landfills?

Not quite. It’s the bacteria in the mealworms’ stomachs that produce enzymes that can break down synthetic materials. Researchers plan to isolate the specific bacteria strains and enzymes and see if these can be produced in large quantities for recycling purposes. They also want to test the mealworms’ ability to break down other types of plastics. Africa, in particular, faces major challenges with plastic pollution due to high imports of plastic products and low recycling rates.

Mealworms are quite the powerhouse insect. Various varieties can also:

🔹Be eaten as a source of animal feed as they’re super high in protein.

🔹Help turn organic waste, like food scraps and agricultural by-products, into useful biomass, which reduces landfill waste while providing yet another sustainable protein for animal feed. 

🔹Create biodegradable packaging and natural fertilisers, thanks to the nutrient-rich droppings (called frass) they produce. 

🔹Create biodiesel from the oil from their larvae, an eco-friendly alternative energy source. 

What a wonder bug! Maybe mealworm should be Africa’s word of the year. 😂

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Mealworms. Credit: Patrick/Pexels

The Government of National Unity (GNU) made it to the 100 Day milestone in early October. But this hasn’t been without its challenges. Let’s have a look at what’s been happening since we last told you about them:

In September, the DA threatened to leave the GNU if President Cyril Ramaphosa okayed the education-related BELA bill. The president subsequently signed the bill into law but delayed the implementation of the two contested clauses, one around language, for three months for further discussions. This did not stop the DA from marching earlier this month with the Afrikaans rights organisation Afriforum against it.

Helen Zille isn’t too far from the fray (as usual). Appearing at a roundtable at the South African Chamber of Commerce in the UK in October, Zille claimed that big business in SA had asked the DA to “save” Ramaphosa from the EFF and the MK Party. Her comments riled up ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who said that the DA were welcome to leave the GNU if they wanted, while City Press editor Mondli Makhanya opined that Zille was “the quintessential wrecking ball threatening the GNU”. Zille responded that her critics had based their concerns on “a single decontextualised sentence plucked from a long question-and-answer session”.

Meanwhile, other leaders in the GNU are clearly tired of the DA’s constant threats to leave.  UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said internal remedies exist within the cabinet to solve challenges and noted Ramaphosa had been good to ministers and their deputies in his experience. Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has called for unity in the GNU, warning that without a united front, SA faced a “Zuma tsunami”.

Fears for the GNU are not without merit. Germany’s historic three-party coalition government collapsed earlier this month. If Germany, usually known for its stable government, could face a coalition collapse, what about the GNU? Let’s hope it’s as resilient as South Africans and weathers the storms

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Government of National Unity Cabinet, 2024. Credit: GovernmentZA/X 

South Africa bids goodbye to Breyten Breytenbach, one of our most influential literary and artistic figures, who passed away this week in Paris at the age of 85. Breytenbach, renowned as a poet, novelist, painter, and anti-apartheid activist, leaves behind a legacy of defiance, creativity, and commitment to justice.

Born in Bonnievale, Western Cape, in 1939, Breytenbach became a leading figure in the Afrikaans literary movement of the 1960s, the Sestigers. His works, characterised by surreal imagery and bold political commentary, pushed the boundaries of Afrikaans literature during apartheid. Beyond writing, he was an accomplished visual artist whose paintings often explored themes of captivity and freedom.

In the 1960s, Breytenbach left South Africa for Europe, condemning apartheid from abroad. In Paris, he met Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, a Vietnamese woman who became his lifelong partner. Their interracial marriage was illegal under South Africa’s Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act, barring them from returning together. France became their refuge, and Breytenbach became a French citizen after his imprisonment.

That imprisonment happened after a clandestine trip to South Africa in 1975, leading to his arrest. He spent seven years behind bars, including two in solitary confinement, but still managed to smuggle out poetry and prose that captured the world’s attention. His novel ‘The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist’ is a harrowing account of this period. 

Even after apartheid ended, Breytenbach remained outspoken. He criticised the ANC for corruption, seeing it as a betrayal of the liberation struggle's ideals. A fierce advocate for human rights globally, he decried injustices wherever they occurred, including in Palestine.

Breytenbach's honours include being named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, recognising his contributions to global culture. His profound impact on Afrikaans literature ensured the language’s beauty was celebrated, even as he rejected its association with apartheid.

Breytenbach’s life was a tapestry of contradictions: Afrikaner and exile, rebel and romantic, artist and activist. He is survived by Yolande, their daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons. While South Africa mourns his loss, his legacy as a voice for justice and creativity will continue to inspire. 🖤

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Poetry night with Breyten Breytenbach, Rustum Kozain and Oswald Mtshali. Included readings of their work and conversations about matters poetic with Georges Lory and Corina van der Spoel. Credit: Saleeha Bamjee/Flickr

The South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) has come under fire recently after a glaring error in a matric Geography exam papers forced 967 pupils in KwaZulu-Natal into quarantine last Wednesday. 😳 Questions worth 79 marks contained errors, an issue discovered during the reading session before the official start of the exam. 

After the error was spotted, the students were quarantined and issued the correct paper. 

The affected pupils were from 85 exam centres administrated by SACAI, one of four examination boards under exams quality assurer Umalusi. The acting CEO of SACAI, Chris Klopper, said that Umalusi " justifiably seriously berated" them after they reported the incident, "as it is not acceptable to make such an error," News24 reported. 

Education experts and unions have condemned the incident as unacceptable. 

Meanwhile, the affected students have rewritten the exam after the correct paper was given to them— but not without added stress to an already gruelling matric process. Parents and pupils are understandably frustrated, with some calling for better oversight and accountability to prevent such errors in future.

This incident comes as South Africa debates education reforms, including improvements to the matric system. While exam leaks and errors aren’t new, the scale of this mishap has reignited discussions about the country’s readiness to modernise assessments and tighten examination protocols.

Here’s hoping these students, who have already faced so many challenges, can finish their exams with dignity and without further drama.

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Desks in a classroom. Credit: Pixabay

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. ✌️