Golf is no frivolous sideshow in international politics. The delegations that met in the Oval Office on Wednesday included two of the greatest professionals of the modern era, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, and two of its less talented amateurs, presidents Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa. When Ramaphosa finally emerged from the White Madhouse, he claimed the golf-themed meeting had gone “very well”.

Leftists have long claimed that the world’s most advanced banana republic concentrates power in a small, interlocking elite that dominates political, economic, and military institutions. Representatives of the elite share common backgrounds, world views and interests, their integration reinforced by education in elite universities, overlapping seats on company boards, and memberships of specific social institutions — including golf clubs...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.