President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo as South Africa’s new ambassador to France. This appointment comes shortly before President Ramaphosa's three-day official visit to France, which will include discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Dlodlo, 63, previously served as the Executive Director for Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa at the World Bank Group. The ambassadorial position in France had been vacant since the death of ambassador Nathi Mthethwa in September 2025. Dlodlo's political career includes roles as communications minister and Home Affairs minister under former president Jacob Zuma. She was also Zuma's presidential parliamentary counsellor in 2009 after supporting his 2007 bid for ANC leadership. Her tenure as State Security Minister during the July 2021 riots faced criticism for an intelligence breakdown. In 2019, parliament’s ethics committee found her guilty of breaching the code of conduct for not disclosing a 2015 trip to Dubai, reportedly arranged by the Gupta family. The Democratic Alliance DA has criticized Dlodlo's appointment, with spokesperson on international relations Ryan Smith stating that it prioritizes ANC cadres over South Africa's interests. Smith highlighted accusations against Dlodlo regarding an inquiry into former president Jacob Zuma’s private intelligence unit and a Public Protector investigation concerning a broadband deal. France is South Africa’s largest source of Foreign Direct
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A report by the Commission for Gender Equality CGE indicates a decrease in women's political representation in the 2021 local government elections. Women constituted 37% of councillors in 2021, a drop from 41% in 2016, falling short of the 50/50 gender quota target. The study utilized data from the Independent Electoral Commission, local authorities, political parties, media, and research institutions. The CGE reviewed candidate lists and manifestos from six major parties. The ANC's lists had 45% women, with its manifesto making general commitments to gender equality. The DA's lists included 37% women, and the party adopted a gender-neutral approach. The EFF had 38% women on its lists, with its manifesto showing more gender-related commitments than in 2016. The IFP's lists comprised 37% women, and its manifesto detailed commitments on women, youth, and food security. The VF Plus had the lowest share of women at 30%, prioritizing merit over affirmative action. On election day, women dominated most roles, making up 56% of party and independent agents, 56% of national observers, 72% of other voting staff, and 66% of presiding officers. The report noted that 66 of 278 municipalities had no outright winner, leading to hung councils. The ANC's national support dropped to 46%, signaling a shift towards a multiparty system. Women's representation declined in most provinces after the 2021 elections, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. While women's representation i
Members of the Eastern Cape ANC branches marched to the provincial head office in Qonce, demanding an end to leadership interference in lower structures and respect for court judgments. Protesters accused provincial leaders of manipulating branch meetings, disbanding legitimate branches, and failing to implement the party’s step-aside rule. The demonstration specifically highlighted the harassment of Dr WB Rubusana ward 24 ANC branch member Lwazi “Sailor” Rotya and two others, who faced disciplinary action after taking the provincial leaders and Luthuli House to court. Rotya and his colleagues successfully challenged the party's constitutional processes and the establishment of an interim provincial task team, with courts ruling in their favor. Despite threats of discipline for suing the party, Rotya recently won the ward 24 by-elections in Buffalo City. This grassroots rebellion is viewed as the start of broader protests against the current leadership, led by provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane, with more demonstrations anticipated nationwide as the ANC prepares for upcoming elections and its national conference.
The African National Congress ANC has defended President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of Dina Pule as the new Minister of Social Development, despite her past dismissal for corruption and maladministration during her tenure as Minister of Communications. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stated that the party believes in second chances and that Pule has learned from her mistakes, emphasizing the ANC's support for her and the President's prerogative. However, the Democratic Alliance DA has expressed strong opposition to Pule's appointment, with DA spokesperson on Social Development Nazley Sharif asserting that Pule's track record of unethical conduct, including misleading Parliament and facilitating unlawful payments to her boyfriend, makes her unfit for the role. The DA has written to the Presidency demanding an immediate lifestyle audit for Pule upon her assumption of office to establish a baseline for her ministerial tenure and to protect taxpayer money. Sharif highlighted the critical responsibilities of the Social Development Ministry and argued that beneficiaries deserve a minister with impeccable credentials.