We deserve better

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 09 Dec   The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world there was always a bigger devil. That’s probably not how you remember your grandmother’s quote … or The Usual Suspects. But for South Africa the tweak is fitting. We know there are sketchy folks out there doing sketchy things. The problem is, they’re all trying to convince us they’re less sketchy than the next guy. How many of our politicians built their reputations off selling solutions to the Zuma problem? Our entire incumbent presidency, for one, propped itself up on the promise that it was going to clean up the decade of the Zuma administration’s debacle. Now the narrative has returned. The “better the devil you know” mentality has consumed much of the intellectual conversation about Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala quagmire. With the alternatives on offer this month, that’s admittedly an easy trap to fall into. But we should know better than to let it colour the facts. This is your quick daily reminder that our nation’s soul is not for sale. We deserve better. Luke Feltham | Online Editor   Premium [Gwede Mantashe Q&A: Ramaphosa has a right to appeal integrity commission report]( The ANC’s national chairperson says the commission must explain how ‘leave of absence’ differs from ‘step aside’ ahead of its Phala Phala report 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 [Brace for stage eight power cuts]( Things won’t get better over the next 12 months, says spokesperson, as energy crisis deepens 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]( Premium [Parliament can vote on Ngcobo report, despite challenge, says lawyer]( Chief legal advisor says the sub judice rule does not bar the National Assembly from debating the report, unless the president applies for an interdict 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]( Recommended Reads Premium [How Lapalala Wilderness School teaches kids about climate and the environment]( Lapalala Wilderness School teaches children in Limpopo about biodiversity and how to take care of the environment 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]( [Ramaphosa declares 27 December a public holiday]( The president has given the country an extra day off, because Christmas Day falls on a Sunday 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]( [Bathabile Dlamini barred from nominations as ANC NEC member]( This is a fatal blow for the former women's league leader, shortly before the ruling party’s national elective conference 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]( [Jack Holden’s Cruise: Of end times and the celebration of life]( A one-man performance at The Theatre Linden reflects on the turbulent Aids crisis of the 1980s 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]( Premium [Supporting Ramaphosa is an unpalatable but necessarily defensive line for the left in South Africa]( But backing the president is a useless strategy if the left can’t pull together, be open new ideas and find a way to get in tune with the majority 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 Magical: Catherine Abilla and George Okoth wait in the wings of the stage during The Nutcracker, a ballet set on Christmas Eve, performed by the Dance Centre Kenya with the Nairobi Philharmonic Orchestra at the National Theatre in Nairobi. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP) [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