Tag: Thoko Didiza

STANDFIRST: South Africa’s intellectual class is quick to dissect the country’s imperfections, yet their silence on Africa’s deeper crises reveals a troubling blind spot in continental discourse. They deserve no audience from anyone who takes themselves seriously, argues the writer. By Pule Monama : (Image: March & March website) It appears that honesty and frankness are scarce commodities amongst our modern-day revolutionaries, intellectuals, and analysts. They also seem to lack the understanding of the technique and ability needed to look themselves in the mirror, to reflect and self-critique, which are the most basic determining factors in the field of intellectualism. They are very quick ...

STANDFIRST: This commentary argues that the Speaker of Parliament must remain institutionally independent, constitutionally grounded and above party politics. Public scrutiny of any Speaker is legitimate, but it should focus on the duties of the office and the integrity of Parliament rather than on personalities alone. By Zola Pinda: Recent parliamentary processes, while focusing national attention on Speaker Thoko Didiza, inevitably revive this fundamental question, demanding a clear definition of this pivotal constitutional office. Public scrutiny of constitutional office-bearers is not only legitimate but essential. Democratic institutions thrive not on immunity from criticism, but on their capacity to withstand it, there...