The Weekend Wrap
Power games shaping SA–US relations; Israel abandoned; and how to tell if a photo’s fake - all in the Weekend Wrap.
Redi Tlhabi on Ramaphosa, Trump & the power games shaping SA–US relations
In this episode of Power Chat, author and Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee sits down with ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to unpack the state of South Africa’s Government of National Unity. As questions grow about the strength and stability of the GNU, Haffajee asks whether it’s becoming a space of problems and pitfalls. Ntuli responds directly, saying the Democratic Alliance is responsible for the challenges within the coalition. Listen to this conversation about power-sharing, political fault lines, and the future of South Africa’s governing alliance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmGY5v1Q1DQ
Daily Maverick writers assess the Ramaphosa-Trump encounter
Did SA’s President walk into an obvious ambush, or was it a step towards resetting SA’s relationship with the US? Six Daily Maverick staffers give their take on Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday.
Israel alone — the self-fulfilling prophecies of Jewish isolation
Illustrative Image: Jabalia refugee camp (Photo: Haitham Imad / EPA-EFE) | Children carry water with the help of a bike. (Photo Hatham Imad / EPA-EFE) | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo Abir Sultan / EPA-EFE) | Doniel Katz (Image sourced / Facebook)
By Kevin Bloom
Race vs unemployment — the changing axis of our politics
Since we became a democracy, the issue of race has overshadowed our political narrative and our elections. It has been the dominant axis of our politics. There may now be some evidence that this is changing, and that the party that can literally change the axis, to change the subject, could grab the initiative.
By Stephen Grootes
The Weekend Wrap
Power games shaping SA–US relations; Israel abandoned; and how to tell if a photo’s fake - all in the Weekend Wrap.
Redi Tlhabi on Ramaphosa, Trump & the power games shaping SA–US relations
In this episode of Power Chat, author and Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee sits down with ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to unpack the state of South Africa’s Government of National Unity. As questions grow about the strength and stability of the GNU, Haffajee asks whether it’s becoming a space of problems and pitfalls. Ntuli responds directly, saying the Democratic Alliance is responsible for the challenges within the coalition. Listen to this conversation about power-sharing, political fault lines, and the future of South Africa’s governing alliance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmGY5v1Q1DQ
Daily Maverick writers assess the Ramaphosa-Trump encounter
Did SA’s President walk into an obvious ambush, or was it a step towards resetting SA’s relationship with the US? Six Daily Maverick staffers give their take on Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday.
By Daily Maverick
Israel alone — the self-fulfilling prophecies of Jewish isolation
From October 2023, despite all evidence to the contrary, many Israelis and members of the Zionist diaspora had been telling themselves that they were ‘battling the forces of darkness’ alone and unaided. But now that the Trump administration and major Western institutions are beginning to distance themselves from the Jewish state, the deeper psychology emerges — one anchored in messianic yearnings and misplaced hopes of redemption.
By Kevin Bloom
Race vs unemployment — the changing axis of our politics
Since we became a democracy, the issue of race has overshadowed our political narrative and our elections. It has been the dominant axis of our politics. There may now be some evidence that this is changing, and that the party that can literally change the axis, to change the subject, could grab the initiative.
By Stephen Grootes
Trump’s Oval Office drama: Unpacking the misleading claims about South Africa’s ‘white genocide’
US President Donald Trump dramatically ambushed President Cyril Ramaphosa with a multimedia presentation in the Oval Office encompassing Julius Malema, the MK party and farm murders. But how much of it was real? Daily Maverick's Victoria O'Regan explains, with additional reporting by Rebecca Davis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh25AmXWxpU
Budget 2025: Who gets what — how allocations have changed
From grant recipients and healthcare, to education and Home Affairs, this is an overview of the May 2025 Budget allocations.
By Neesa Moodley
‘No Typical Day’: On the job with conservation’s unsung hero at Addo Elephant National Park
Growing up on the coast and spending time in St Lucia and Richards Bay, spotting red duikers, hippos, and crocodiles, Anban Padayachee’s first love was marine biology. But apartheid-era restrictions closed that path. ‘Then someone mentioned that conservation was more practical and hands on — something that could lead to game ranging. And I never looked back,’ he says.
By Julia Evans
Rates of obesity are soaring: Have we been misunderstanding the problem?
The authors of a recent Lancet report argue that obesity should not just be seen as a risk factor for other diseases — but in some cases, should be seen as a disease itself. The position could change how we treat obesity globally. In the first of this two-part Spotlight series, we break down the debate around the issue, and its implications for health policy.
By Jesse Copelyn for Spotlight
Letter from Trumpland — a visit to historic Indian boarding school in Pennsylvania reopens an old ache
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first Indian boarding school deliberately established off-reservation, with a specific mission to cleanse students of their home cultures. For four decades it also served as a flagship for similar cultural-assimilationist schools across the US and Canada.
By Glen Retief
National pride at stake: Shukri Conrad seeks Springbok inspiration for Proteas’ historic challenge
As ‘biggest final ever’ looms for Proteas, head coach Shukri Conrad popped in to visit back-to-back world champions, the Springboks, at their alignment camp.
By Keanan Hemmonsbey
My dog, my best friend, is no more — I can’t and won’t pretend that I’m okay
After euthanising her beloved hound, Sukasha Singh can’t help but feel like she murdered her best friend.
By Sukasha Singh
How to tell if a photo’s fake? You probably can’t. New rules are needed
The solution demands two simple and clear actions: declare that photo manipulation has taken place and disclose what manipulation was carried out.
By Martin Bekker
The rebellious girl from Brakpan, SA who unlocked Grace Jones’s voice
In the fever-dream swirl of 1970s Paris – where the air reeked of Gauloises, champagne and possibility – a South African model named Esti Mellet-Mass was about to change music history. Herman Lategan uncovers the unlikely story of how a rebellious girl from Brakpan helped launch one of pop culture’s most enigmatic and fearless figures: Grace Jones.
By Herman Lategan
Daily Mini Crossword Quickie
Herds of motorbikes, devil chimneys, and the many roads to and from home
Melktert milkshakes at Diesel & Crème, lamb pies at Nanaga, coffee and cheesecake at Camdeboo farm stall. Whichever route you take, there’s always somewhere to take a break from the long road.
By Tony Jackman
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