--- title: "While you were sleeping: 5 December 2016" description: "Two PMs and a president exit left, and controversial pipeline rerouted." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-12-05-while-you-were-sleeping-5-december-2016/" published: "2016-12-05T06:05:36" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 758 --- # While you were sleeping: 5 December 2016 > Two PMs and a president exit left, and controversial pipeline rerouted. By John Stupart · Published 5 December 2016, 08:05 SAST ## Content **Monday, 5th December** *"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with your average voter."* **Winston Churchill** ![Elections aftermath: Why did the ANC ignore its own research?](//i1.createsend1.com/ei/d/AD/B18/930/csimport/849x493q70Ranjeni-ZumaCabinet1.051957.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Boxed in: Can Zuma do the Shuffle?](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dhlihht-l-u/) By RANJENI MUNUSAMY Thanks to the reprieve from credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings, this week will not resemble last year’s economic and political turmoil as a result of President Jacob Zuma’s reckless decision to remove Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister. Still, South Africa is not out of the woods. A Cabinet reshuffle has been anticipated for several months, with fears that Zuma will give in to pressure to chop Pravin Gordhan. After the revolt from within the ANC national executive committee (NEC), there has been further speculation that Zuma might wield the axe. But Zuma is wounded and needs to retreat to consider his next moves. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Austria boots out the fascists](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dhlihht-l-o/) Austrian voters have resoundingly rejected anti-immigration and eurosceptic Norbert Hofer's bid for the country's presidency. Although largely a ceremonial role, the vote was seen globally as an evaluation on the state of European minds in the wake of Donald Trump's ascendancy. When the Austrians have become a bastion for tolerance and liberal democratic rule, you know the world has gone a little loopy. [New Zealand's PM announces retirement](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dhlihht-l-b/) New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, a popular public figure, has announced his surprise retirement. Key has been in office for eight years, but said he was never a career politician and that it was time to go. Upon hearing the announcement, Australia's PM Malcolm Turnbull messaged Key saying, "Say it ain't so bro". [Renzi calls it quits](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dhlihht-l-n/) A third country's leader is also due to make an exit. Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was voted out of power in a referendum on constitutional reform. The overwhelming 'No' vote left Renzi announcing his retirement. The move was hailed as a step towards the populist side of politics, but could also be seen as a genuine desire to avoid Renzi's upward political trajectory. [North Dakota Pipeline rerouted](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dhlihht-l-p/) In a major announcement from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the giant Dakota Access Pipeline oil project has been rerouted. The proposed route had threatened sacred Sioux land, while also having the potential to pollute a major river. It had been the focus of months of protests by war veterans and Native Americans. Protesting, it seems, does actually work once in a while. — IN NUMBERS 500 The number of tractors Fidel Castro proposed as suitable exchange for 1,202 prisoners from the Bay of Pigs invasion. FACT OF THE DAY It is **World Soil Day**. Get your feet in some dirt today! **Ring of Fire**, as performed by Johnny Cash, was actually written by June Carter. 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