national partylatest news & developments
Joe Latakgomo, the founding editor of the Sowetan newspaper in 1981 – passed away on 22 February 2026. Photo: Supplied

Joe Latakgomo: Founding editor of Sowetan – critical role in black journalism

It was at The World that he found himself standing alongside one of South Africa’s most towering figures in the press, Percy Qoboza. To serve as deputy to a legend requires a particular kind of strength — not the strength that competes but the strength that complements. Latakgomo had that strength in abundance

  • Library
6 min read
Ill-fated: Among the Operation Vula accused were Pravin Gordhan (top centre) and Dipak Patel (right). Press cutting courtesy Dipak Patel

Pravin Gordhan: Sound and fury surround the death of a quiet man

Pravin Gordhan was the political architect who tried to shun the spotlight

4 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

GNU: Will we work together this time?

When a unity government was being formed in the 1990s there was suspicion and mistrust

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – May 6, 1990: F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela during negotiations between the Apartheid government and the ANC. (Photo by Gallo Images via Getty Images/ Sunday Times)

A new GNU: South Africa’s first democratic election and the evolution of power sharing in the ANC

The majority of 1994’s voters recognised the GNU script because they co-authored it, and were assured of explanations if deviations were unavoidable

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read
Thabile Mbili is said to be the daughter of an ANC activist and former municipal manager at the Ray Nkonyeni local municipality on the province’s south coast who is now the head of the provincial department of human settlements.

ANC’s 30th anniversary: Learning from National Party’s lessons

Thirty years into its rule, the NP faced the reality of its demise. The ANC faces a similar reality This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Ron Derby
1 min read