As I write this, Zimbabwe is on the verge of a political miracle. All signs are that Mugabe will be democraticaly ousted as president after 28 years in power. Thabo Mbeki, as a neighbouring president who could actually do somehting about the regime, has recieved much criticism for his "quiet" approach to Mugabe. I now wonder if Mbeki may actually have been right?  read more »

I have a growing sense that as a nation, South Africa is heading towards a knife edge. In just a few months Zuma goes to trail (in which the prosecutors are calling over 200 witnesses). A few months thereafter, we go to the polls to vote for a new president (during which the president-elect will still be standing trial for corruption). As recipes go, this does not bode well for a peaceful transition between power regimes.  read more »