Best of 2025: John Matisonn - Inside South African politics

In 2025, John Matisonn’s reporting for BizNews delivered some of the year’s sharpest political insights—from shifting party fortunes and foreign-policy shocks to explosive testimony, diplomatic tensions and emerging space ambitions. This collection brings together his most impactful analyses, offering a clear, unflinching view of the forces reshaping South Africa at home and abroad.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..BizNews Reporter.A once-dominant movement stood uncertain on its own birthday. As the ANC entered 2025 with familiar promises and fading energy, its internal battles, splintering alliances and wavering public confidence raised a tougher question: could renewal still come from a party struggling to convince even itself?.John Matisonn: ANC, the wounded buffalo, faces a challenging 2025.Before his ambassador was even in place, Donald Trump was already shaking up South African politics. From threatened US consulate closures to potential pressure on trade and rare minerals, the former president’s Africa agenda forced Pretoria to consider tough choices—and a high-stakes rethink of its foreign policy..John Matisonn: The huge (potential) cost of renaming Joburg’s Sandton Drive.The DA edged forward, consolidating support and blocking small-party gains as it polled at 25%. Meanwhile, the ANC wrestled with internal turmoil in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, leaving voters uncertain. As local and national elections loomed, the DA appeared poised to emerge as a stabilising force while ANC factional battles continued to simmer..John Matisonn: DA now SA’s most stable large party.The DA’s anti-VAT campaign propelled the party ahead of the ANC in a historic poll, fuelled by a surge in black voter support. As smaller parties faltered and the ANC struggled to adapt from its anti-apartheid roots, South Africa faced the possibility of a major political realignment ahead of critical by-elections..The ANC are a few mistakes from following the Nats and UP into oblivion: John Matisonn.Behind closed doors, Donald Trump showed surprising warmth and focus during talks with South African leaders. From farm murders to G20 logistics, the former president balanced blunt demands with unexpected diplomacy—leaving officials like John Steenhuisen confident that earnest engagement might finally have been possible, despite Trump’s unpredictable public persona..John Matisonn: A different Trump behind closed doors during US-South Africa talks.Elon Musk eyed South Africa as a launchpad for SpaceX rockets and Starlink satellites, exploring the Denel Overberg Test Range and rare-earth supplies. With ASRI’s expanding commercial space programme, indigenous rocket successes and global collaborations, the country seemed positioned to become a hub for orbital launches and high-tech space innovation..Musk wants to launch rockets from the Western Cape - John Matisonn.KwaZulu-Natal’s fragile coalition faced a new crisis as two ANC MECs for Education and Health were disciplined over budget mismanagement. Premier Ntuli had to navigate delicate negotiations to avoid government collapse, while unions and rival parties applied pressure—leaving the province’s leadership on a knife-edge ahead of critical political decisions..John Matisonn: Fragile KZN government on a knife edge as ANC MECs face discipline.South Africa’s effort to secure a trade deal reducing Trump’s 30% tariff hit fresh hurdles. Miscommunication, new US demands and unresolved political issues—including BEE rules, expropriation and farm murders—stalled progress, leaving Pretoria scrambling. Meanwhile, a new trade deal with China offered an alternative path amid growing uncertainty..Behind the US-SA talks deadlock: John Matisonn.Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola revealed at the Madlanga Commission that Minister Senzo Mchunu had disbanded the political killings task team, claiming “no political killings after 1994,” with President Ramaphosa’s backing. The explosive testimony exposed deep rifts at the top of law enforcement and raised urgent questions about accountability in South Africa’s security structures..The generals: Heroes, villains or both? - John Matisonn.In the ten days before his death, former South African Ambassador Nathi Mthetwa faced intense scrutiny over alleged political interference and corruption. His final days—set against a record of reforming Cricket South Africa—revealed a complex legacy of accomplishment, controversy and mounting pressure that preceded his tragic end..The real Nathi Mthetwa - and his one good deed: John Matisonn.Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a convicted criminal turned political funder, appeared calm and collected before Parliament’s committee as he detailed payments to senior police and his ties to ANC power struggles. Amid luxury, security and survival, his testimony laid bare the high-stakes corruption, campaign financing and factional battles shaping South Africa’s next presidential race..John Matisonn: The Smooth Cat who says he paid Cele half a million

Best of 2025: John Matisonn - Inside South African politics

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