Real Politics Column

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s political survival is tied to a difficult truth: he depends on leaders he may not fully trust to keep his reform agenda alive and to steady the fragile government of national unity, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.

South Africa is finally having an honest conversation about Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. And it is long overdue, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

Jacob Zuma’s personal popularity may again carry the MK party in 2026, but leadership instability and weak structures are limiting its political reach, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

South Africa’s government of national unity should trigger a long overdue rethink of the country’s foreign policy, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

All signs point to Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis emerging as the next leader of the Democratic Alliance in April. If that happens, it could mark a turning point for South Africa’s second biggest party at a critical moment in its history, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

Nineteen months into the government of national unity, President Cyril Ramaphosa is getting glowing praise from former rivals despite deep policy fights and rising public frustration, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.

The Democratic Alliance faces a growing threat in its Western Cape stronghold as identity politics reshapes the battlefield ahead of the 2026 local government elections, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

If Patrice Motsepe is serious about becoming a good president for South Africa, his first and most urgent task is simple; he must cut loose from the political baggage tied to his current slate of running mates, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

The attack on King Dalindyebo over his meeting with Israeli diplomats shows how little tolerance the ANC has for leaders it cannot control, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

South Africa’s political parties are preparing to make immigration the biggest issue of the 2026 municipal elections, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

In a country where political parties fight each other more than they serve the people, traditional leaders remain the only hope for unity and progress in rural South Africa, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics. 

Residents of Ekurhuleni tried to oust the ANC – and failed anyway, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.