Gerhard van der Merwe
At the Cape Town Bulletin Gerhard van der Merwe is senior political correspondent, filing from Cape Town on national and provincial power, Parliament and party politics. He dissects policy shifts, profiles influential figures and translates complex governance matters into clear magazine features, drawing on years of newsroom experience and broad source networks.
Articles by this author
Former Police Chief's Cartel Claims Face Scrutiny as Investigation Stalls
Fourteen months of investigations reveal substance to police commissioner's infiltration allegations
Silent Majority: Why South African Families Keep Burglaries Secret
Unreported housebreaking leaves South African families and communities invisible to police systems.
African traders bypass Western banking; stablecoins reshape continental commerce
Blockchain-based currencies enable faster, cheaper cross-border trade across the continent.
Young Engineer's Rise Shows How One Firm Builds Tomorrow's Leaders
Small consulting firm's mentorship model produces measurable results in engineering leadership development
South Africa's City Voters Face Tight Three-Way Race Over Basic Services
Competing parties vie for control of urban services as election day approaches.
From Township Dreams to Fighter Cockpit: How South Africa's Aviation Sector Is Remaking It
Women and Black South Africans reshape a once-closed industry through opportunity and skill.
South Africans' Savings and Bonds Could Surge on Credit Upgrade, Goldman Says
Ordinary South Africans' investments could benefit from anticipated credit rating recovery.
Moscow backs South Africa's fight to rejoin G20 talks after summit snub
Russia publicly backs South Africa's bid to attend the 2026 G20 summit after Washington's exclusion decision.
Union Leader Warns: South African Political Alliance Fractures as Rivals Turn on Each Othe
Workers face ballot box dilemma as South African labor federation struggles to reunite fractured political alliance.
Petrol and Diesel Costs Set to Surge; Families Brace for New Blow
Rising fuel costs add pressure to households already struggling with living expenses
South Africa's Local Vote Set for November 2026; Officials Report Coordination Plans in Mo
Municipalities race to deliver water, safety and services before November 2026 polls
Durban's Bollywood Dream Fades: Why Live Indian Cinema Stars Stopped Coming to South Afric
Economic pressures and streaming reshape how Indian cinema reaches South African audiences.
South Africa's Fractured Local Governments Face New Rules on Political Alliances
Proposed rules aim to stabilize coalition councils through written agreements and extended negotiation windows.
Young South Africans Turn Social Media Followings Into Real Businesses Beyond Brand Sponso
Young creators build businesses beyond sponsorships as platforms reshape digital culture.
Residents in Four Provinces Face Sharpest Crime Threats; New Data Shows Persistent Danger
Four provinces bear disproportionate burden of violent crime despite national improvements
Private Power Surge Breaks Eskom's Grip; What Changes for South Africa's Households
Business leaders and government chart path to job creation amid economic stagnation.
Elgar Steps Away: South Africa's Former Captain Chooses Family Over Final Cricket Chapter
Veteran batsman prioritizes family time over final cricket contract with Essex
Seventy and Still Racing: How One Runner Reached a Rare Milestone
A pioneering athlete marks a historic milestone at 70 years old.
Jobless South Africans Still Waiting as Emergency Aid Stretches Into Its Seventh Year
Millions of unemployed South Africans depend on a grant meant to be temporary.
Africans demand control of their own health future as funding crisis deepens
African leaders chart path toward health independence amid pharmaceutical dependence crisis
Malmesbury youth accused of multiple sexual assaults, animal cruelty in court appearance
16-year-old faces charges in international child exploitation investigation
Families of 76 fire victims face longer wait as court reopens prosecution case
Reopened prosecution case delays justice for families of Johannesburg fire victims
Southern Africa's Leaders Gather as Zambia Sits Out Regional Summit
Migration and regional cooperation dominate SADC talks as Zambia sits out electoral process
South Africa's Fruit Farmers See Lifeline in Proposed US Trade Deal Extension
Tariff relief offers breathing room for export-dependent growers facing global competition.
Durban hosts crucial southern Africa summit as leaders tackle security, migration crises
Regional leaders convene to address cross-border movement, conflict and cooperation challenges
Millions of Africans Still Cook by Fire, Sleep Without Power; Energy Crisis Deepens
Hundreds of millions lack reliable power as continent seeks investment solutions
Families Flee South Africa as 90,000 Leave in Three Months; Regional Crisis Deepens
Displacement and regional instability drive mass exodus from South Africa.
Deaf Rugby Players Finally Get Corporate Backing to Chase World Championship Dream
South African Deaf Rugby team secures major sponsorship deal for Tokyo tournament
Digital Skills Gap Offers Income Path for South African Workers
Small business owners and traders seek guidance navigating digital payment systems.
Detective's Murder Evidence Reaches BBC as South African Investigators Fear for Their Safe
Investigators fear for safety as murder case stalls amid military obstruction.
Two businessmen admit guilt in Kusile power plant scandal, agree to testify
Guilty pleas in Kusile corruption case signal progress in prosecuting state capture scheme
Inspectors who rescue neglected animals find purpose in a second chance
Animal welfare inspectors depend on public and corporate support to pursue cruelty cases across South Africa.
Franchise owners face reckoning as South Africa's watchdog launches sector probe
Watchdog launches formal probe into power imbalances affecting franchise business owners
South Africa's Power Fix: How Ramaphosa's Reform Plan Reaches Real Households
Communities face long waits as government accelerates structural reforms across water, power and transport.
Communities, Miners Face New Costs for River and Dam Access Across Five Provinces
Residents and operators in five provinces weigh in on water access pricing.
Cabinet Minister Affirms All South Africans Have Right to Stay, Reject Genocide Claims
Government reaffirms constitutional protections and citizenship rights for all residents.
Durban gym sends South Africa's first obstacle course racing team to world championships
Local gym athletes become South Africa's first international obstacle course racing competitors
US Health Envoy's Presentation Marred by Drastically Misplaced African Nations on Map
Health envoy's map error raises questions about US commitment to African AIDS response
When Crime Fighters Face Justice: South Africa's Tangled Law Enforcement Battle
Overlapping mandates in South Africa's law enforcement agencies create confusion and conflict.
France's Summer Heat Forces Families Indoors, Leaving New Outdoor Spaces Empty
Extreme heat disrupts rural French summer traditions and community gatherings.
Thousands Flee South Africa as Xenophobic Violence Surges Against African Migrants
Organized campaign against African migrants marks a shift in South Africa's xenophobic violence.
World Bank Tax Plan Could Transform South Africa's Investment Zones, Parliament Says
Parliament calls for holistic approach to investment policy beyond tax breaks alone
Labour's Landslide Left Britain's Government Scrambling for Direction
Political upheaval in Britain and South Africa reveals how voter frustration reshapes established democracies.
African Leaders Chart 50-Year Path to Shared Prosperity and Unity
Institutional reform under new leadership tests commitment to grassroots participation in continental development.
Local Suppliers Seize Opportunity as Chinese Automaker Commits to Community Partnerships
Young entrepreneurs in township communities gain direct access to factory supply chains and skills programs.
Court Orders Cape Town to Confront Decades of Housing Segregation
Court demands Cape Town detail plans to build affordable housing in inner city within three months
South Africa Emerges as Sole G20 Economy with Moody's Positive Outlook
Ratings agency signals confidence in fiscal discipline and reform implementation.
South Africa's Uncertain Path: Four Possible Futures as Leadership Shifts
Analysts map three competing visions for South Africa's political and economic future.
DA Leader Says State Made Subjects of Citizens, Not Keepers of Rights
Democratic Alliance leader outlines vision for restoring state accountability to ordinary citizens.
Overseas South Africans Face New Tax Scrutiny; SARS Demands Detailed Proof of Non-Resident
Revenue service intensifies scrutiny of expatriates claiming non-resident status
South Africa's Soccer Team Writes Unlikely World Cup Story Against All Odds
National pride emerges from Bafana Bafana's competitive World Cup performance despite early exit.
African Entrepreneurs Get New Delhi Meeting to Build Trade Ties With India
Entrepreneurs and small businesses prepare for May 2026 gathering to forge commercial ties.
South Africa's President Faces New Impeachment Push Over Farmgate Scandal
Accountability test looms as Parliament advances inquiry into president's conduct
Artificial Intelligence Investment Floods Kenya's Capital, Reshaping Africa's Tech Landsca
Nairobi emerges as Africa's leading technology hub amid intensifying continental competition.
South Africa's Ruling Party Fractures Over Economic Reform, Threatening Coalition Stabilit
Internal divisions over economic policy and governance strain South Africa's coalition arrangement.
Racing Legend Kyle Busch Dead at 41 After Sudden Illness
NASCAR community mourns the unexpected loss of a two-time champion.