Ramaphosa vs The Army: Who’s Really in Charge?

In this episode of This Is Politics South Africa, we unpack the shocking naval drill off the coast of Simon’s Town and the deeper crisis it reveals in South Africa’s political system. We discuss how the military reportedly ignored President Cyril Ramaphosa’s direct instruction to exclude Iran, raising serious constitutional questions about civilian control over the defense force. We explore the implications of this defiance for the ANC, the relationship with the United States, and the growing politicization of the SANDF, while asking whether South Africa is sliding into a dangerous power dynamic where the military feels it can act independently. Plus, we examine the latest matric results and ask whether the education system is still producing the skills South Africa needs, or if the country is simply graduating more unemployable students. This is the national mood, and this is the future South Africa is facing.