Premium: Perfect Zille interview timing – DA wins yesterday’s “crucial” by-elections

START YOUR MORNING BY LISTENING TO TODAY'S BIZNEWS BREAKFAST BRIEFING PODCAST: Wall St rebounds from 'Pelosi panic'; Naspers share price floor; More Bain pain via Hain; SoftBank cutting AliBaba stake; Oil falls after Opec+ meeting.(If you're struggling to access BBB via Spotify or iTunes, an audio-only version is also available on YouTube. Click here). .___STEADY_PAYWALL___.By-elections have been a neglected area in South African political news coverage, mainly because there was previously little at stake. But as the ANC's grip of power is loosening, observers are watching by-elections as a reflection of the way South African politics is moving. .And as pointed out in this week's Boardroom Talk, the ANC has lost six wards out of 23 it held ahead of contests since November's Local Elections. Results from 30 by-elections revealed a further slide in the ruling party's share of the vote – to 41% from 46% nine months before. .Four more by-elections were held yesterday, perfectly timed for my interview with Helen Zille who explained in detail why the two contested by her party, both in coalition-run municipalities, were crucial (watch the interview from 28:13)..Here's the update. The results confirmed a trend that's becoming increasingly apparent. In Limpopo's Modimolle Mookgopong formerly independent councillor Wiets Botes retained Ward 12 for the DA with over two thirds of the vote. In Tshwane's Ward 42, the Shane Maas won for the DA with 77.6% of the vote (from 73.6%). .More for you to read today: .As Pelosi Leaves Taiwan, China's Military Looms Larger. Drills spurred by visit could intrude into island's claimed territorial waters and signal Beijing's ability to blockadeMichael Saylor Bet Billions on Bitcoin and Lost. The longtime MicroStrategy CEO, and perhaps the biggest bitcoin bull, steps downThe Conservative Case for Optimism. From rampant crime to closed schools, America's culture is trying to right itselfFormer Allies Vie for Kenya's Presidency in Divisive Election. Memories of past election violence and voting irregularities hang over a tight poll in East Africa's economic hub.NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….As a Premium subscriber you are entitled to full membership of wsj.com (normal price $29 a month). Be sure to action your access through the Premium link on the BizNews website. Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements, be sure to create a password which has at least 8 characters and includes at least one letter and one number – NB it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website via Biznews Premium at least once a month. A final PS, if you had previously signed up for WSJ you'll need to clear the cookies from your device. Our helpdesk can assist – support@biznews.com.

Premium: Perfect Zille interview timing – DA wins yesterday’s “crucial” by-elections

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