Corruption: a fine balance of forces
Patrick Laurence argues that the war against corruption has entered a critical phase.

Local media freedom is not set in stone
Vigorous white journalists are liable to be accused of racism, while their black confreres risk condemnation for lack of patriotism.

Has upcoming poll yielded full roll-out?
Virginia van der Vliet traces the history of ANC denial and procrastination on HIV/Aids.

A critical appraisal of the Mbeki presidency
Thabo Mbeki has shown great skill in co-opting the emerging black elite and silencing critical voices.

ANC's dominance not written in stone
Lawrence Schlemmer takes a close look at the factors that determine political loyalties in South Africa.

Buthelezi: Adroit political survivor
Aubrey Matshiqi assesses the importance of the forthcoming elections to Buthelezi's future.

ANC and the parable of the parabola
At the moment of its greatest electoral triumph the ANC would be wise to be mindful of the parable of the parabola.

Ideological battle over meaning of democracy
James Myburgh reflects on the rivalry between political Jacobins and liberals in South Africa.

An inauspicious end to Ngcuka saga
South Africans have reason to be apprehensive over the resignation of Bulelani Ngcuka as the national director of prosecutions.

An audit of liberalism – From Brown to Leon
Patrick Laurence combines an audit of liberalism with a tribute to Peter Brown, one of its finest exponents.

Time to discard racial preferencing

Info dearth hampers anti-poverty fight
Charles Simkins assesses the impediments confronting Mbeki as he seeks to reduce poverty and unemployment.

Presidential voice must be heard but...

Draft reports ignite smouldering embers
Patrick Laurence appraises new evidence of discrepancies between the draft and final versions of the arms-deal report.

Judicial independence imperilled
Editorial.

White left smarts after Pyrrhic 1994 victory
Dan Roodt argues the case for a new Anglo-Boer entente for the twenty-first century.

Mbeki's last chance on Zimbabwe
Editorial

Black advancement: hype outstrips reality
Lawrence Schlemmer investigates the rise of the black middle class and concludes that it is still relatively small

Mbeki's credibility is on the line
Editorial

Israel is a democracy in which Arabs vote
Benjamin Pogrund disagrees with those who describe Israel as an apartheid state and labels their views as facile