The Intelligence from The Economist From the head down: rot in South Africa
May 31, 2021
Join John McDermott, Chief Africa correspondent, and Sasha Nauta, public policy editor, as they delve into Jacob Zuma's long-awaited corruption trial, revealing deep-rooted issues within the ANC. They discuss how the pandemic has disproportionately affected working parents, especially mothers, impacting mental health and career choices. The duo also explores the fight for better sanitation in Harismith and the revolutionary design of toothpaste tubes that reduce waste. Their insights provide a captivating glimpse into South Africa's political and social landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Zuma's Corruption Trial
- Jacob Zuma's corruption trial began after two decades of allegations, focusing on a 1999 arms deal.
- He's accused of accepting bribes from Thales, a French arms company, while serving as deputy president.
Systemic Corruption
- Corruption in South Africa is systemic, affecting all levels of government, not just the top.
- This impacts basic services like water, power, and sanitation, particularly in smaller towns.
Harismith's Struggles
- John McDermott visited Harismith, a town with failing services due to alleged corruption within the local ANC government.
- A citizen group, Water Heroes, tried to fix services, but were stopped by the municipality.