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
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
The National Treasury has frozen equitable share transfers for July 2026 to 60 municipalities across South Africa due to persistent financial mismanagement and significant unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure UIFWE. This intervention, described as corrective, affects municipalities in all nine provinces, including major metros like Johannesburg and smaller towns. Municipalities were given prior notice and an opportunity to respond. Transfers will resume only when municipalities demonstrate compliance and provide proof of corrective action. The Treasury stated that this measure is necessary to enforce accountability, noting that continued non-compliance threatens financial sustainability. Despite years of support, many municipalities continue to adopt unfunded budgets, ignore UIFWE obligations, and fail to meet statutory commitments. Municipalities collectively owe Eskom R3.40 billion in interest and water boards R1.21 billion. The Auditor-General's 2024/25 report corroborates findings of persistent weaknesses in municipal financial management, highlighting R24.12 billion in fruitless expenditure since 2021/22, R145.21 billion in irregular expenditure including R40.14 billion in 2024/25, and R118.13 billion in unauthorized expenditure. Additionally, 116 municipalities adopted unfunded budgets in 2024/25, and 48 failed to pay third-party deductions on time. The Treasury also flagged ineffective Municipal Public Accounts Committees MPACs for failing to in
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.
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