Here are six things you need to know about SA's political week ahead

24 Nov 2024

From the EFF’s Constitutional Court case on Phala Phala to the Namibian elections, these are the political stories we’re watching this week.

1. EFF in ConCourt on Phala Phala case

The EFF is in the Constitutional Court against the National Assembly Speaker on Tuesday, 26 November. In 2022, Parliament commissioned a Section 89 (the impeachment clause in the Constitution) panel into the Phala Phala theft of a stash of US dollars from Cyril Ramaphosa’s game farm.

Judge Sandile Ngcobo found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing. Franny Rabkin breaks it down here (behind a TimesLive paywall). Here’s an assessment of the report from Daily Maverick that will be at the centre of the ConCourt case on Tuesday.

2. All eyes on what Nxamalala will do after his expulsion

uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party leader Jacob Zuma, whose clan name is Nxamalala, said at the weekend that he would not accept his expulsion from the ANC. That means all eyes (again) turn to what the former head of state will do: appeal to the party’s national executive committee (NEC) or take it to court.

My money is on another long legal battle.

3. G20 fever hits town

On 1 December, South Africa assumes the chair of the Group of 20 (G20). It’s going to be a yearlong festival of meetings. Johannesburg, the host city, may even be fixed as the world’s leaders jet into town for the G20 Summit in November 2025.

The meetings start in Sandton this week with a media briefing at Investec on Tuesday, 26 November. We’ll keep you posted. There will be parallel business and social summits at the same time. Sam Mkokeli breaks it down here (Sunday Times is paywalled).

4. Namibians go to the polls

On Wednesday, 27 November, Namibians go to the polls. Will Swapo get swept out of power as incumbents across the continent get their walking tickets? Ernst Calitz has a look here.

5. ANC and SACP meet

The ANC and South African Communist Party (SACP) met over the weekend to iron out growing differences in the direction of the Government of National Unity (GNU). The party’s secretary-general, Solly Mapaila, has been a consistent critic. Keep an eye out of the outcome, especially as the party goes to its national conference early in December.

The party may again resolve to contest elections on its own steam. That threat has come to nought over decades, but the shift to the left in South Africa’s opposition flank may embolden those in the party who want out of the GNU.

6. 16 Days of Activism against violence against women

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children starts this week. Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindi Chikunga kicks it off in Rustenberg on Monday, November 25. DM

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