Against the Tide by Steven Friedman

Despite all the noise, the dispute over the Basic Laws Amendment Act was never going to derail the coalition government - the two biggest parties have no attractive option if it falls apart and so they will stick to it. But, because both the ANC and DA must contend with doubters in their own ranks who don't want the coalition, they have to fight loudly from time to time to show that they remember who they are.  So, we can expect more of this political theatre.

That is the argument of myAgainst the Tide column sent to subscribers this morning. To subscribe, please visit the Against the Tide website. To discuss a free or reduced subscription, contact info@againstthetide.co.za

Steven Friedman is a public commentator and an academic, currently employed as a Research Professor at the University of Johannesburg. He has been writing on South African politics for the entire democratic period both as a scholar and public commentator. He has published books on South Africa’s transition to democracy, the role of the trade union movement, and current South African politics. He has also written columns and articles for several South African newspapers. His writing seeks to use academic research to shed light on current politics but to ensure that this is conveyed in a way easily understood by people who have no academic training.