A Political Doll

A Doll in a world of Puppets: Thoughts on life, the Universe and all things political. Tweets, re-tweets and favorites (likes / hearts) are not endorsements.

[A Political Doll @APoliticalDoll]

#PrayForSouthAfrica
Our Father in heaven
Holy be your Name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On Earth as in heaven
Give us our bread
Forgive our debts
As we forgive our debtors
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil
For yours is the kingdom power & glory
Forever
Amen

[A Political Doll @APoliticalDoll]

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[South African Government @GovernmentZA]

⛽ Fuel Supply Update

Government assures South Africans that the country’s fuel supply remains stable and secure, despite global tensions.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources continues to monitor supply and coordinate with industry to safeguard energy security.

#GovZAUpdates #EnergySecurity

[Wandile Sihlobo @WandileSihlobo]

The South African Weather Service just released a note, underscoring the point we made earlier.

Here is what we said:

We are at the tail-end of the 2025-026 La Niña rain period. From April 2026, the weather is likely to return to normal. In Southern Africa, this will be a typical drier period as we approach the winter season.

The La Niña rains during the summer season have helped support crop production. Early crop estimates point to a better harvest for the 2025-26 season. For example, South Africa’s 2025-26 maize production estimate is 16.13 million tonnes, down 3% from the previous season but well above the long-term average production.

Importantly, this expected harvest is well above South Africa’s annual maize usage of 12.0 million tonnes. The crop is now at the pollination stage in various regions of the country, and these regions will continue to benefit from the rains.

But from the end of March 2026 onwards, the ideal weather conditions are warm and dry, which will support the crop’s maturation and ensure robust quality.

While it is still early to take a firm view, the early prospects suggest that in the next 2026-27 summer crop season, which starts in October 2026, we may transition into an El Niño season.

If this becomes a reality, we may have a tough season ahead after a few years of favourable weather conditions. Again, this is still very early; we will likely have a clearer view of this possibility around July 2026.

For now, what remains comforting is that weather conditions are favourable for the current 2025-26 season, and the rain may ease at the end of this month, permitting better crop maturation.

-wandile

[A Political Doll @APoliticalDoll]

There's biblical foundation for the whole "yOuR holiDaY wAs OrigInAlIY PaGaN" criticism. God has had a problem with taking on pagan ways, even instructing His people against it. It's reasonable to extend it to us grafted in today. Easy to understand in this context

Deut 12:

[Eric Rosen @IM_Rosen]

I’m thrilled to share a special life update -- I recently married the amazing @irene_sukandar

We kept our relationship mostly private until now, but we’re happy to share this milestone publicly. Thank you for supporting our journeys, both on and off the chessboard. Here’s to the beginning of a beautiful chapter ❤️

[Eric Rosen @IM_Rosen]

Today was my biggest ever payday from Titled Tuesday, but it wasn't from playing chess...

[Srinath Narayanan @srinathchess]

Made her an offer she couldn’t refuse 😊💍♥️

[Kangmin Lee | 이강민 @kangminlee]

I know a guy who did

[A Political Doll @APoliticalDoll]

@Afrihost down in George, WC. This after issues last week. Please send up the corporate chain that the enabling of more communication faster is required, more transparency on issues & impacts is needed, & that sustained issues would lead to moving our business to another ISP

[Barchart @Barchart]

BREAKING 🚨: Coffee

Coffee falls to its lowest price since November 📉 Congrats everyone, enjoy ☕️☕️

[John Thyroid @banay_john]

We got married btw

[Osiris 🇿🇦 🇪🇸 🇦🇷 @AJ_NP_]

Sometimes the economy regulates itself 😂😂

[Storm A @StormA7_]

I submitted a report at 16:15 this afternoon regarding a blocked sewage pipe and @george_mun is here at 19:45 to fix it. Amazing service!

[SA Weather Service @SAWeatherServic]

MEDIA RELEASE: A spell of extreme winter weather starting this weekend, with snowfalls possible over all provinces, except Limpopo

[Thehullboy @Thehullboy1]

£100,000 RAISED 🤯

Truly speechless. When I began running I said my all time goal was to raise 100K for @mindcharity - never did I imagine we would do it on this challenge alone. I don’t even know how to word this, this is already the greatest day of my life and I haven’t even finished the run yet.

To whoever donated £20,000 anonymously, you have a heart of gold and thank you so much for believing in the challenge. Thank you to EVERYONE who has supported, I will forever be grateful for you all ❤️

16 miles to go!

[Wandile Sihlobo @WandileSihlobo]

South African agriculture has done well without subsidies, which ended in the early 1990s when we deregulated our agricultural markets.

Our sector has more than doubled in value and volume terms since 1994. Still, there is a need for more support and its practical use by new entrant farmers.

They must (and will) also acquire over 2.5 million hectares of farmland currently in government records with title deeds (not for free – a proper plan is in place for how all this will happen).

For all farmers, we need better roads, efficient rail and port infrastructure, reduced rural crime, properly functioning municipalities, and ongoing efforts to expand market access.

With this, we will continue to grow and compete head-to-head with all these HEAVILY subsidised countries.

[Michael Atkins @atkinsmike1]

When I was in Johannesburg in the 1980s, I used to love going to Hillbrow for pizza after church on a Sunday evening.

That does NOT mean that life was better under apartheid.

You can pine for your old comforts, but they came at the expense of people created in the image of God.

[Michael Atkins @atkinsmike1]

The @IECSouthAfrica has called for submissions on the subject of potential electronic voting in South Africa.

This is an important discussion. It goes without saying that nothing must ever be allowed to diminish trust in our electoral system.

[Links 👇]

[Wandile Sihlobo @WandileSihlobo]

THE SOUTH AFRICAN FARMING SECTOR REMAINS OPTIMISTIC

-- The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) -- a sentiment indicator in South Africa's agriculture -- increased 11 points from Q4 2024 to 70 in Q1 2025.

-- This is the third consecutive improvement, placing the ACI at its highest level since Q4 2021, a year of La Niña rainfall that boosted agricultural output.

-- The current level of the ACI implies that South African agribusinesses remain optimistic about business conditions in the country.