Steven Friedman

SOUTH AFRICA needs changes if politics is to serve all the people well. A new way of electing the people who make laws is not one of them.

CAN this country protect the rights of accused people without giving a free pass to the rich and connected few?

AS the country heads for perhaps the most interesting general election since 1994’s poll, don’t expect the national debate to help any of us understand this event and what it might mean. In the past few days, we were reminded of how out of touch with simple reality, and basic arithmetic, the mainstream voices we hear are.

HUMAN rights are called that for a reason – because they belong to all humans, not to a particular culture. And so it should go without saying that Africans are as entitled to them as every other person.

THE great South African nightmare has been shaping politics these past few days. It was stoked by the EFF’s ‘shutdown’ and the drama it set off in the heads of everyone who is anyone. And it is why an ordinary event was blown up into a threat which probably never existed.

NO-ONE seems to have noticed, but there is a huge hole in the Constitution which might create a political crisis after next year’s general elections.

WINNING back people’s trust starts by listening to them, not doing more for them.

IS it possible to hold public figures to account in today’s South Africa? You would not think so if you follow debate on former Eskom chief executive officer Andre de Ruyter.

BECAUSE this country’s politics ignores most people, we should not be surprised when left-wing slogans championing the poor are used to support the demands of the better off.

MUCH of what passes for politics today in this country is really theatre – and mostly not the kind which moves or inspires people.