Nominations for the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2026 are now open
The M&G 200 YSA 2026 call for nominations, honouring exceptional young leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping the future of our country, are open
Roedean school principal quits over sports row with King David
The school said it acknowledged that the school’s cancellation of a tennis match against King David earlier this month ‘were deeply hurtful to the Jewish community’
Cyril Ramaphosa: President
SCORE: B From surviving an internal plot inside the ANC to oust him at the party’s national general council (NGC), standing up to incecant attacks from United States bully Donald Trump and staying firm on Israel over its genocide in Gaza, President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to hace cemented his position and may become the first […]
Paul Mashatile: Deputy President
SCORE: D Deputy President Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile, the man tipped to replace President Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president in 2027 and possibly the next leader of South Africa, is a hard worker and a smart politician. Unfortunately, his career has always been dodged by corruption allegations. Although the allegations remain untested and Mashatile has maintained […]
John Steenhuisen: Agriculture
Agricultural exports and rural employment highlight Steenhuisen’s tenure, alongside ongoing disease and regulatory pressures
Enoch Godongwana: Finance
SCORE: B+ Finance minister Godongwana’s leadership this year faced its first test during the tabling of the national budget. For the first time, the budget had to be re-tabled over a dispute about a proposed VAT increase, initiated by parties in the government of national unity. The minister was required to strike a balance between […]
Ronald Lamola: International Relations and Cooperation
SCORE: A When tensions between South Africa and the United States erupted over claims made in Washington about the killing of white farmers, Lamola stepped up. He was tasked with smoothing relations to ensure the two countries could continue to benefit from mutual trade, despite ongoing strain caused by US policy decisions, including cuts to […]
Parks Tau: Trade Industry and Competition
SCORE: C+ Tau has had a tough year navigating the global turmoil triggered by US tariffs on several countries. The 30% on South Africa’s exports is certainly not a reflection of the minister’s personal performance. But the reality is that under his watch, not only has the country been slapped with the punitive tariff, it […]
Senzo Mchunu: Police (suspended)
SCORE: F- Mchunu’s legacy has taken a heavy knock from allegations of collusion with criminal syndicates which were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi which resulted in two inquiries — the Madlanga Commission chaired by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga and parliament’s police ad hoc committee. Several months into office Mchunu disbanded the Kwazulu-Natal based […]
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni: Minister in the Presidency
SCORE: C As Cyril Ramaphosa’s most trusted ally and the go-to woman if you want his ear, Nthavheni is loved by some for protecting the president from undue external and internal pressure, but also loathed for sweeping his skeletons under the carpet. Since he became president of the country, Ramaphosa has refused to meet with […]