Is there hope after Cope? What its demise means for other small parties

Even though COPE is no longer of much – if any - relevance in the South African political domain, there are perhaps a few lessons to be learnt from their demise.

Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd30 August 2023#COPE, #DennisBloem, #Lekota, #lessonslearned, #ShilowaComment

Maile's attack on journalist is totally unacceptable. We need more complex thinking.

In the chess game of life and opinions, they choose to play on either the white or the black squares and when their views are affirmed by me or other writers, they feel good and validated. However, when they are challenged, they feel uncertain and angry and lash out.

Political commentary, PersonalMelanie Verwoerd23 August 2023#freespeech, #freedomofspeech, #journalism, #LebogangMaile, #intimidationComment

Five deaths, millions lost, tourism dented: Was the taxi strike worth it?

Of course, many blame the taxi associations for it all, but it seems to me that this was a case of two elephant bulls fighting while trampling on us, the small people.

Political commentary, Social commentaryMelanie Verwoerd16 August 2023#westerncapetaxistrike, #taxistrike2023, #burningtaxis, #santacoComment

Give and take needed from both sides to end taxi strike

According to STATS SA, around 11 million people or 70% of households make use of taxis every day to reach their place of work. So, if there are no taxis, who will (wo-)man the check-out tills at the malls? Who will clean the malls, streets, and houses?

Political commentary, Social commentaryMelanie Verwoerd08 August 2023#taxistrike, #CapeTowntaxistrike, #Santaco, #essentialworkersComment

God never forgives the wrong we do to a child: Our shame of child malnutrition

Earlier this year the Department of Health revealed that 12, 582 children aged 0 to 5 years have died in hospitals since 2013 due to moderate and severe acute malnutrition.

Social commentary, Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd26 July 2023#childhunger, #poverty, #malnutrician, #childwellfareComment

Lessons from the Irish: Egos are not welcome in coalition agreements

There is much that we can learn from Ireland, but the letting go of egos and personality driven politics is perhaps the single most important lesson for us as we head into 2024.

Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd19 July 2023#Ireland, #PeaceProcess, #coalitiongovernent, #coalitions, #2024electionsComment

Moonshot pact: If the Dutch can’t keep it together, how can we?

The question is what that change should look like and how we secure stability of the new order - which is essential for foreign investment and growth.

Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd12 July 2023#ANC-EFFcoalition, #coalitiongovernent, #SpectrumNationalParty, #moonshotpactComment

They still want to invest, but this is what worries foreign investors.

We desperately need more foreign direct investment. The willingness is there, but we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.

Political commentary, EconomyMelanie Verwoerd28 June 2023#foreigninvestment, #politicalstability, #SouthAfricanElections, #ANC, #EFF, #JohnSteenhuisenComment

Pride campaign: Woolworths deserves to be congratulated, not boycotted

Surely, we can all accept by now that what children ultimately need is to grow up in happy, loving households, something that is totally possible irrespective of the sexual orientation of the parent/s.

Social Justice, Social commentary, Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd14 June 2023#Pridemonth, #Woolworths, #LGBTQI, #Errol Naidoo, #FamilyPolicyInstitute Comments

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