I bring you this story on a historic day for South Africa from parliament .... and a comedy club down the road! Have a listen. npr.org/2024/06/14/nx-…

Wonderful choir at the first sitting of South Africa parliament in Cape Town.

The EFF, which has refused to join the GNU, arrives late

Covering the first sitting of parliament as South Africa learns the make up of its new government of national unity, after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.

So we know nothing more than we knew.

Ok. Let's try again tomorrow.

South Africans responded to rare snow this week by sending around a meme reading: 'The coldest place in South Africa last night, Luthuli House, -71.'
Luthuli House is the headquarters of the ANC. 71 is the number of parliamentary seats they lost last wk. npr.org/2024/06/05/nx-…

#SouthAfrica

'Our people have spoken whether we like it or not .... Through their votes they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong, that our democracy is robust, and it is enduring.'

voanews.com/a/ramaphosa-sa… Kate Bartlett

Covering Ramaphosa's address at the official declaration of election results. He says the people have spoken in a free and fair vote. 'Whether we like it or not, they have spoken,' he says. And their choice will be respected.

'A former South African president once boasted that the ANC would rule 'until Jesus comes back.'
There’s a joke now doing the rounds in South Africa that Jesus must have returned, given the bashing the party took in general elections this week.'
voanews.com/a/south-africa…

South Africa is having its Trump moment. #January6 loading.

Good call by SA media.

And notice how, despite a historical haemorrhage, African National Congress is not disputing the outcome. Another significant party that didn't perform as well as it projected, the EFF, has also affirmed the sanctity of the democratic process. Lessons for the GOP😜

On a huge result in South Africa, in part orchestrated by former president Jacob Zuma, haunting his former party, especially in KwaZulu Natal.

'In a historic election, South Africa's ANC loses majority for the first time,' with Kate Bartlett npr.org/2024/06/01/nx-…

One of the most depressing things about ex-Pres Jacob Zuma’s success in the SAfrican election is that every single one of the people who voted for him will have suffered personally from the vast corruption he made possible.

Saw this piece at Latitudes Art Fair just a few days ago. What a seismic shift in South African politics since!

Our piece voanews.com/a/south-africa…
#SAElections24

We went to report at polling stations in two very different parts of Johannesburg (though they're only a few km apart.) Alexandra-- a high density township-- and Sandton, known as 'Africa's richest square mile'. One commonality: Many voters desperate for change.

Interviewing voters lining up for the polls in Alex this morning. Many told me they hope for change, thirty years into South African democracy.