Ant Hazell

Interested in public policy and analysis, the world around us, and how we respond to it as leaders and ordinary people.

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

When you realize the intro of the famous song "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple is the intro of Beethoven's 5th Symphony simply played backward.

Mind-blowing.

[Siviwe Gwarube @Siviwe_G]

Today, at the #FrankDialogue with @JJTabane, I shared some of the progress we have made. 

In the last two years, we have undertaken the most significant reorientation of the basic education system toward foundational learning in a generation. 

We have expanded access to quality Early Childhood Development at a historic scale. 

✅Since 2021, registrations of ECD programmes have increased by over 200%. 

✅Last year we set an ambitious target to register 10 000 ECD centres in 1 year, we exceeded that target by registering 13 300 ECD centres. 

✅We have put aside R10 Billion towards ECD subsidies for 3 years.

✅We have invested R496 Million in the Education Outcomes Based Fund to create 115 000 ECD spaces in our most rural provinces of KZN, EC and Limpopo. 

✅In March 2026, we issued the request for proposals to pilot ECD nutrition in ECD centres across the Eastern Cape. This is to deal with stunting caused by malnutrition before children turn 5. 

✅Today, approximately 1.2 million children are accessing registered ECD programmes across South Africa. 

These are not paper achievements. They have real life impact. 

They mean that more than 1,2 million children will arrive at school ready to learn, able to read, able to hold a pencil and count confidently. 

More children are developing language skills early than at any time in history. 

More children are building the cognitive foundations that will determine their future educational success, than any time in history. 

We are building strong foundations for strong futures.

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

This is hilarious.

[cinesthetic. @TheCinesthetic]

Kevin Pollak sharing stories about working with Jack Nicholson on A FEW GOOD MEN (1992) is as entertaining as you’d expect.

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@jurie_blanche @waynesussman Turnout increased quite a lot, which must have been strongly in PA's favour.

[Ryan Coetzee @RyanCoetzee]

South Africa’s elite is constantly coming up with priorities that trump growth and jobs.

Well-paid politicians and senior public servants, “activists” of various sorts, businesses that want protection from competition, academics in a range of fields - for too many of these people there is always something more important than an economy that generates jobs in a country that makes it easier to start and grow a business.

In a country with decades of world historical levels of unemployment there is something staggeringly self-regarding about powerful people who refuse the idea that the interests of those in or near poverty are not the priority.

[James Heale @JAHeale]

On Friday, the Ukraine War will have lasted 1569 days - longer than the First World War

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@RyanCoetzee @IonaItalia I thought it was going to be about war or some other disaster.

[Ryan Coetzee @RyanCoetzee]

This is the dividend of the GNU’s fiscal policy, which is built on an alignment between Treasury, the Presidency and the DA. Would be impossible with the EFF or MK in the government.

Micro-economic reforms, however, are too few and too slow. If we want growth, we need more, faster.

[Geordin Hill-Lewis @geordinhl]

WATCH: I celebrate Lungelwa Ciliba, a librarian at Dunoon library, and many others like her - dedicated, passionate staff members who are committed to making Cape Town the City of Hope.

This is a wonderful video testament to her work. 📚👏

[Ryan Coetzee @RyanCoetzee]

This is quite a letter.

Russia lost over 30k from the battlefield again in May, 67% of whom were killed. And in the most 21st century twist, Ukraine has video evidence of every one.

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@RyanCoetzee Well done on getting through the whole article in order to articulate these thought. Quite a feat.

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@RyanCoetzee 🤣

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@RyanCoetzee 😂

[Leon Schreiber @Leon_Schreib]

The Border Management Authority has just achieved what is likely the single biggest breakthrough against the drug trade in South African history, by intercepting a consignment at Beitbridge valued at nearly R1 billion. (You read that right).

Yesterday, an intelligence-driven operation coordinated out of our National Targeting Centre identified a truck travelling through Zimbabwe to Beitbridge. Upon arrival, the BMA was ready and waiting for it. The truck was intercepted and examined through the sophisticated truck scanner on site, with a hidden compartment discovered. Working over 8 hours, the BMA patiently dismantled the truck until a substance was discovered that was confirmed to be methaqualone, also known as ABBA, commonly used in the manufacture of mandrax.

The Hawks and K9 units were called in, with 713 000 grams of the substance seized at an estimated value of R998 200 000. Just under R1 billion.

Three Malawian suspects were arrested and taken to the Musina Police Station, with the Hawks to conduct further investigations.

This historic breakthrough in the fight against smuggling and drugs vividly demonstrates that the combination of intelligence-led investigations, digital transformation, and the commitment of the BMA is systematically rebuilding the rule of law at our borders! 🇿🇦

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@RyanCoetzee If you aren't driving, then you are a passenger. But the buses will keep driving their routes.

[Ryan Coetzee @RyanCoetzee]

For the first time ever, the DA has won a township ward populated entirely by black voters.

I remember in 1997 how the DP won a string of by-elections in Gauteng that heralded a sea-change among white voters.

There is now a shift happening among black voters. It may not be on the same scale as 1997, but there is a shift, and it’s happening.

[Geordin Hill-Lewis @geordinhl]

🫶👋

[Martin Laine @Martinlaineolen]

🚨Breaking news:

Leaked docs from a Kremlin-controlled propaganda machine reveal a campaign backing far-right parties in EU elections and spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine.

Read further:

https://t.co/rzmW5kfDJT

Let’s dive into the #FactoryofFakes🕵️‍♂️🧵

1/15

[Ryan Coetzee @RyanCoetzee]

ANC renewal: latest.

[Ant Hazell @antsworld]

@GvanOnselen An expensive reality check loading.