Would you pay R11 000 for ticket to watch the ANC’s Game of Musical Chairs?

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Tue 13 Dec   It’s a few days to go before the 55th ANC elective conference, newsrooms across the country and international correspondents in Johannesburg are gearing themselves for the most important piece of theatre in both the party and the country’s political calendar. I’ve taken a week off to prepare for the four, or maybe five days that will shape much of our politics over the coming two years as we head into our national elections. On my first day back (Monday), we got news that due to a lack of sponsors, interested media houses that had wanted to operate within the media village in Nasrec will now have to pay for that right to the tune of R11 000. It’s a sad state of affairs for one of the oldest parties on the continent and speaks of the inability of its present leadership to run its own house. Media coverage is something that ultimately the party needs for its own relevance – something that they are clearly willing to compromise. For our open and transparent democracy to continue maturing, the media is critical in telling the story of the ANC – given its centrality to the project — at this present moment at least. But I’m not too surprised. Under the presidencies of both Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa, transparency and accountability has not been top of mind. Both presidents were loath to be answerable to the press, delivering statements or delivering speeches without any interrogation from the media. While we initially applauded all the “family meetings” that President Ramaphosa had with the country at the most critical moments of our Covid crisis — he never took a question. His relations with the media have been almost as acrimonious as his predecessor. So am I in the least bit surprised that media houses are going to have to pay up to cover the governing party deciding the fate of the presidency of the country over the next 18 months — not in the slightest. As the Mail & Guardian, we’ll ensure that we give you the best coverage possible in the coming week, but what is unfolding here is a tale of a party becoming a whole lot more desperate as it enters 111 years — the dreaded Nelson. Cricket lovers will know the wariness of this number. Thanks again for being a supporter of the Mail & Guardian, speak again tomorrow … Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@RonDerby](   [Ramaphosa was in Seshego — the home town of Economic Freedom Fighters]( [Ramaphosa’s legal challenge is flawed, ATM argues in papers]( The president quoted from the Ncgobo report selectively in his bid to have it set aside by the constitutional court, the African Transformation Movement said 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]( [Gwen Ramokgopa: Ramaphosa could be ‘more decisive’ in dealing with non-performing ministers]( The ANC leader says she intends to win the race for treasurer general and rid Luthuli House of salary bill of former parliamentarians 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]( [Carl Niehaus gets the chop as ANC cracks down ahead of conference]( Disgruntled would-be national executive committee members are going to court over their failure to make the top 200 names 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 [Parents open civil case against ‘radical birth keeper’]( Ernie Chirwa and her partner Chifundo Bingala have turned to a Cape Town law specialist after their twins died 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]( [Son of former Mozambique president sentenced to 12 years in prison]( No Credit Suisse executives have faced criminal prosecution, despite the company admitting liability 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]( [Janusz Walus parole: Constitutional court was right – but failed the sensitivity test]( Even though the Hani family would not have agreed with the court, at least the public would have seen that everything was done to get the family involved. 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 Phala Phala scandal fuels resentment in Soweto]( Against a backdrop of unkept promises and a growing frustration with the ANC, Ramaphosa faces the worst scandal of his career 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]( [The arms deal was the ANC’s original sin that set the stage for corruption in South Africa today]( The Political Party Funding Act and the Public Audit Amendment Act should, in theory, help clean up the mess 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 Brandenburg, Beelitz: Fire-damaged pine trees stand in the Seddin state forest (photo with zoom effect). According to the current forest condition report, the forest is suffering from drought and climate change. Photo: Monika Skolimowska/dpa [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