How prepared is SA for a terror attack?

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 28 Oct   As we’ve watched the ANC losing credibility in the eyes of the electorate for more than a decade – struggling under the weight of political careerism, opportunism and as a result rampant corruption – the idea of a coalition future looks more and more certain. The example that has most often been used for its success has been Germany, especially under the leadership of Angela Merkel for 16 years. An example of where it certainly hasn’t worked has been Italy, which is pretty much still the case with the rise of the right wing coalition that has managed to keep an 86-year old Silvio Berlusconi somehow relevant. I’m beginning to think our coalition future should it come to pass, which is looking ever likelier, is going to follow the Italian model for one rather simple reason, purpose. Whilst Germany and for the most part its political parties during the Merkel era were united in the purpose of keeping that nation as an industrial giant, but not a geopolitical superpower because of the lessons from two world wars. I don’t think Italians have as shared a vision. There are modernists, but in some government department buildings in that country there are still some that had images of its dictator, Mussolini, who brought them into a disastrous World War 2 campaign on the side of Adolf Hitler. Since the end of that war in 1946, the country has had some 70 governments. Looking at the examples of Germany and Italy, we’ve got to wonder what a coalition future will be in this country of ours. I’m not certain that the German experience will ever be ours. What are the commonalities between EFF, Action SA, the DA and the ANC? Beating corruption isn’t one. Quite simply, what is their view of the country’s best future? They have no shared vision and as such I am of the thought that coalitions won’t move us forward? Hopefully I’m wrong, and it’s just a case of political maturity – which doesn’t explain Italy in truth. We are discovering how fraught coalitions can be on a local level today. In a couple of years, we’ll see it on a national stage… Thanks for joining us in this first week of the Newsletter. We’ll speak again next week, where we will get our recently appointed Environment Editor, Ozayr Patel, to write for you as we gear up for Cop27 in Egypt. Cheers [Subscribe now]( to enjoy unlimited access to The Mail & Guardian for only R99 per month. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@RonDerby](   Premium [US warning raises question: How prepared is SA for a terror attack?]( The threat is real, say experts about the warning from the United States about a possible strike in Sandton Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( Premium [Senzo Mchunu is implicated in job fraud]( The minister supported the appointment of a senior North West official who only has a matric certificate, despite CV claims Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. 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Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( [State reinstates charges against rhino poacher Gideon van Deventer]( The firearms case was dropped when a prosecutor at Bronkhorstspruit decided not to prosecute without giving an explanation Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Pic of the day The Pillars of Creation are set off in a kaleidoscope of color in NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s near-infrared-light view. The pillars look like arches and spires rising out of a desert landscape, but are filled with semi-transparent gas and dust, and ever changing. This is a region where young stars are forming – or have barely burst from their dusty cocoons as they continue to form. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale/STScI, Anton M. Koekemoer/STScI, Alyssa Pagan/STScI) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa