Weekend Thing: Gigaba goes, Brexit sees politicians walk

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [Daily Maverick]( Saturday, 17 November 2018 Smells Like Teen Spirit “Comrade Malusi’s decision to step aside is a sign of the increasing maturity of our democracy and of leadership willing to put the country ahead of their own individual situations.” The ANC on its two-plus decades of "maturing" In sum Far from inevitable, [Malusi Gigaba's resignation]( in the wake of Nene's strategic departure was a welcome sign of clearing out in the ANC's Cabinet. The ANC hailed this direction of Gigaba and the party as a step towards"'mature" democratic practices, a good 24 years since freedom. Standby for reboot Gigaba ultimately had no choice. If he waited to be fired by Cyril Ramaphosa, the ambitious career politician would only delay his ability to rejuvenate his singed tailfeathers. Now, having "done the right thing", Gigaba can begin rebuilding his brand, free of Zuma's taint and sex tape scandal. Except, the opposition rightly argue that [Gigaba's martyrdom does not absolve him]( from his sins, which range from widespread and eager Gupta interactions to sabotaging key sectors of the economy, either by incompetence or willful deception. Regardless, Gigaba's exit now paints a crosshair on a much thornier, less self-aware minister: Bathabile Dlamini. Whether one of the country's worst political leaders will also read the tea leaves is arguably less assured than even Gigaba's fate. Why should you care? Gigaba is[gone but certainly not forgotten.]( With an ANC reluctant to actually discipline its members for wrecking state and Saxonwold, Gigaba is still largely free to gallivant about government and party. His resignation showed that Ramaphosa was serious about cleaning up his cabinet, but certainly leaves a lot to be desired of the ruling party's own state of affairs. [Free Delivery]( to your nearest Exclusive Books when ordering via on [EB Online]( [This weekend we're watching]( Every year serious kite-flyers descend upon Shandong province for the International Kite Festival in Shandong province. Considering the amount of wind enjoyed in much of South Africa, that this isn't a thing here is borderline criminal. Wordsworthless 585 The number of pages comprising the draft Brexit deal. Disappointing is a five letter word The way Brexit has been defined and redefined has left many British considerably out of touch on just what a hard versus soft Brexit process will mean. The entire process has now taken on the undesirable description of an ["omnishambles".]( This week Prime Minister Theresa May sought to clarify the latter, presenting a Brexit deal tome to her cabinet for approval. She got it, but with some significant consequences. My kingdom for a spine The cabinet approval was almost immediately followed by the resignation of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and a bundle of other May acolytes. The ensuing days saw May on a blistering campaign to win public support - a move that appeared to be working - while also[fending off near-rabid political opposition]( in the Commons. At stake is a messy Brexit in March next year, a general election if May is ousted, or a possible referendum and salvation from this utterly idiotic process altogether. May prefers option one, naturally. — [Free Delivery]( to your nearest Exclusive Books when ordering via on [EB Online]( [Hackjob]( Japan gets a lot of things right, but cybersecurity at the Olympics clearly is not one of them. In a parliamentary committee meeting, newly-installed Cybersecurity and Olympics minister Yoshitaka Sakurada admitted to having never used a computer in his life. Sakurada was already made famous for often answering questions on the Olympics "I don't know". Perhaps increase your personnel encryption if you're planning to go to Tokyo 2020. — Key Reading [Matshela Koko was chief Gupta enabler at Eskom, alleges Treasury report]( By Ferial Haffajee Former Acting CEO of Eskom Matshela Koko comes up on 78 of the 194 page-Treasury report into how Eskom was captured. Ladies of the sky Prostitution in Queensland is perfectly legal. Advertising it by skywriting is not. [Support DAILY MAVERICK & get FREE UBER vouchers]( Not all memberships count points. Some memberships actually count FOR something and have tangible benefits. Maverick Insiders who contribute R150 or more per month, get R100 worth of free UBER vouchers every month. Yes, every month until October 2019. [Click here]( to sign-up. (Added bonus: you’re also now an even better, more mobile, person.) Weekend reading [Consulting firm McKinsey royally exposed in new forensic report]( [Consulting firm McKinsey royally exposed in new forensic report]( BY Jessica Bezuidenhout [Report tracks amazing growth of Eskom finance boss Anoj Singh’s bank account]( [Report tracks amazing growth of Eskom finance boss Anoj Singh’s bank account]( BY Ferial Haffajee [32 Battalion veterans left in limbo in forgotten military town]( [32 Battalion veterans left in limbo in forgotten military town]( BY GroundUp [Free Delivery]( to your nearest Exclusive Books when ordering via on [EB Online]( [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( Copyright © 2018 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick Afternoon Thing subscriber list. Want to advertise in this mail? [Talk to us.](mailto:advertise@dailymaverick.co.za?subject=Advertising%20query%3A%20Afternoon%20Thing) [Getting too many emails from us? Manage your preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](