--- title: "ANC bigwig’s state capture sentence, Lekota’s legacy and earthly pleasures" description: "The Weekend Wrap highlights Vincent Smith’s sentencing for corruption, reflects on Mosiuoa Lekota’s political legacy, and examines pressing issues in South African education and trade." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "THE WEEKEND WRAP" author: "Daily Maverick" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-07-anc-bigwigs-state-capture-sentence-lekotas-legacy-and-earthly-pleasures/" published: "2026-03-07T00:07:00" updated: "2026-03-07T07:00:00" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 786 --- # ANC bigwig’s state capture sentence, Lekota’s legacy and earthly pleasures > The Weekend Wrap highlights Vincent Smith’s sentencing for corruption, reflects on Mosiuoa Lekota’s political legacy, and examines pressing issues in South African education and trade. By Daily Maverick · Published 7 March 2026, 02:07 SAST · Updated 7 March 2026, 09:00 SAST ## Key points - Vincent Smith begins a seven-year prison sentence for Bosasa corruption while the nation mourns anti-apartheid veteran Mosiuoa Lekota following his death at 77. - Global shipping reroutes around the Cape as the Middle East crisis spikes costs while the “maths” of high losses forces the shutdown of Showmax. - Gauteng education faces scrutiny as the same 18 schools reappear in infrastructure promises for the fourth year amid a persistent learner placement crisis. - Table Mountain’s firefighting helicopters and the “rolling disaster” of the Cycle Tour showcase the Cape’s enduring spirit through chaos and heat. ## Content ### From Parliament to prison — Vincent Smith receives seven-year sentence for Bosasa corruption ![Former MP Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption linked to payments he received from facilities management company Bosasa. (Photo: Justice / Crime Prevention and Security @CrimeWatch RSA / X)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cWpM3jGiD7HrHcBERZJqJCAtX6I=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/HCpdLHxbkAAd40Q_615347_679789.jpg) *Former MP Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption linked to payments he received from facilities management company Bosasa. (Photo: Justice / Crime Prevention and Security @CrimeWatch RSA / X)* ***By Nonkululeko Njilo.*** Vincent Smith, once a powerful ANC MP and parliamentary committee chairperson, is headed to prison while comrades accused of similar offences walk free.[Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-from-parliament-to-prison-vincent-smithh-receives-sevenyear-sentence-for-bosasa/) ### How Mosiuoa Lekota challenged the ANC’s rule and changed the course of SA’s democracy ![Mosiuoa ’Terror’ Lekota on 18 October 2013. (Photo: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nelius Rademan)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WyxIMx3yszs74Fj3pgRDkolyQcs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/0000200378_287891.jpg) *Mosiuoa ’Terror’ Lekota on 18 October 2013. (Photo: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nelius Rademan)* ***By Stephen Grootes.***While Mosiuoa Lekota, who died on Wednesday, will be rightly remembered for his role in the United Democratic Front and his fight against apartheid, there is a danger that his subsequent — and equally vital — contributions to our democracy will be overshadowed. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-04-how-mosiuoa-lekota-challenged-the-ancs-r-ancs-rule-and-changed-the-course-of-sas/) ### Selebi’s folly: Never an intention to charge Thabo Mbeki for TRC crimes, inquiry hears ***By Marianne Thamm.***Testimony at the Khampepe inquiry into delayed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions indicates that former national police chief Jackie Selebi was set up by old-guard security police. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-selebis-folly-never-an-intention-to-charharge-thabo-mbeki-for-trc-crimes-inquiry/) ### Cape route becomes shipping lifeline as Middle East crisis disrupts trade, spikes costs ![Container ships are moored in the Port of Cape Town, South Africa, 02 March 2026. Shipping companies such as Denmark's Maersk and France's CMA CGM reported that their vessels will be rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope, near Cape Town, as the transit route through the Strait of Hormuz has been suspended due to the ongoing joint US-Israeli military operation, which began with strikes across Iran on 28 February. (Photo: EPA / HALDEN KROG)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/fBK-YVh12C6Xfkwo2mXEa-eEo_w=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/13797953_506570_382916.jpg) *Container ships are moored in the Port of Cape Town, South Africa, 02 March 2026. Shipping companies such as Denmark's Maersk and France's CMA CGM reported that their vessels will be rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope, near Cape Town, as the transit route through the Strait of Hormuz has been suspended due to the ongoing joint US-Israeli military operation, which began with strikes across Iran on 28 February. (Photo: EPA / HALDEN KROG)* ***By Ed Stoddard.***The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing significant delays and rising costs in global shipping, affecting supply chains and production schedules worldwide. SA retailers, including Shoprite, are already experiencing disruptions, with essential goods stuck in transit and inflation concerns escalating due to rising oil prices. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-cape-route-becomes-shipping-lifeline-as-middle-east-crisis-disrupts-trade-spikes/) ### Four years, same 18 schools: The recurring maths of Gauteng’s school infrastructure ![Illustrative image | A Gauteng primary school under construction. (Photo: gp_infrastructure / instagram) | Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Photo: Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/mpWgzMbkyJNmNeDnyJNhs9V2z6Q=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/Taku-lesufi-schoolscopy_759543_762068.jpg) *Illustrative image | A Gauteng primary school under construction. (Photo: gp\_infrastructure / instagram) | Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Photo: Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)* ***By Takudzwa Pongweni.***As learners in Tembisa and Kempton Park finally enter classrooms two months late, Daily Maverick looks at how many education promises have gone unanswered. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-four-years-same-18-schools-the-recurring-maths-of-gautengs-school-infrastructure/) ### Farewell to Soli Philander, a relentless observer of South African life ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qes4qOUWajXdMH7y_WmW9RMXcnc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/000065408_391098_676072.jpg) ***By Herman Lategan.*** Soli Philander, Cape Town’s versatile actor, comedian, and passionate activist, has died from cancer. He bravely fought for human rights, fearlessly voicing his views on progressive politics and social justice, leaving an indelible mark. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-farewell-to-soli-philander-a-relentless-observer-of-south-african-life/) ### Cycle Tour categorised as a ‘rolling disaster’ — but one that inspires Cape Town ![Tyler Lange, left (in blue), wins the elite men's race at the 2025 Cape Town Cycle Tour. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4VFzgHoFoXlA6HyXrV0apVC47Hg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/TL_2366100_514039_751990.jpg) *Tyler Lange, left (in blue), wins the elite men's race at the 2025 Cape Town Cycle Tour. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)* ***By Craig Ray.***The 48th staging of the Cape Town Cycle Tour – the 109km loop around the Mother City on 8 March – continues the tradition of innovation in 2026. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-06-cycle-tour-categorised-as-a-rolling-disaster-but-one-that-inspires-cape-town/) ### Showmax is dead — here’s the maths that killed it ![Illustrative image | Stressed streamer. (Photo: Freepik) | Showmax logo. (Photo: Showmax) | Canal+ logo. (Photo: Wikimedia)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ge-A-sbfcjf_-SrudbVAahw6Fk0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/BMCanalshowmaxshutdowncopy_842540_170283.jpg) *Illustrative image | Stressed streamer. (Photo: Freepik) | Showmax logo. (Photo: Showmax) | Canal+ logo. (Photo: Wikimedia)* ***By Lindsey Schutters.***The widely circulated Canal+ corporate statement was four careful paragraphs of saying almost nothing. The numbers, though, tell a story of a streaming experiment that burnt billions. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-showmax-is-dead-heres-the-maths-that-killed-it/) ### An Iliad: War’s horror and heroism in Alan Committie’s take on Homer’s epic ![Alan Committie as The Poet in An Iliad. (Photo: Claude Barnardo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/l_MaahzXBt1NZ9CF84x5uafnuSU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/AlanCommittieasThePoetinAnIliad_ClaudeBarnardo_497519_815076.jpg) *Alan Committie as The Poet in An Iliad. (Photo: Claude Barnardo)* ***By Keith Bain.***Unstuffy, primal, urgent and deeply compelling, the one-man play is an evocative modern-day, colloquial spin on the ancient bard’s epic account of the Trojan War, shot through with an overriding sense of humanity’s tragic inability to shake off its lust for the violence, carnage and chaos inflicted by military action. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-04-an-iliad-wars-horror-and-heroism-in-alan-committies-take-on-homers-epic/?) ### From pot-au-feu to other earthly pleasures ![Pot-au-feu was originally known as pote-fieu and literally meant a pot hanging over a fire. (Photo: Pexels)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/_7FaWVOQOCEhkgchHhn3o5TvqLc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/Pot-au-feuwasoriginallyknownaspote-fieuandliterallymeantapothangingoverafire_Pexels_702090_397538.jpg) *Pot-au-feu was originally known as pote-fieu and literally meant a pot hanging over a fire. (Photo: Pexels)* ***By Marita van der Vyver***. She shares the experience of tasting what is considered to be the foundation of French cuisine, pot-au-feu, revealing its connections to art and literature. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-from-potaufeu-to-other-earthly-pleasures/) ### Yellow angels: Table Mountain’s firefighting helicopters ![Dipping the bucket which holds a ton of water takes a brief moment and then a button-press to drop. (Photo: Grant Duncan-Smith)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2jZ4_BJUsYZyRghzQUX7nRbJcRM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2989/Firebirds-5_168961_745098.jpg) *Dipping the bucket which holds a ton of water takes a brief moment and then a button-press to drop. (Photo: Grant Duncan-Smith)* ***By Don Pinnock***. In Cape Town you know there’s a fire before you see or smell it. The thud thud of the big old Huey helicopters trailing buckets is a sure sign that somewhere the mountain’s burning. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-05-yellow-angels-table-mountains-firefighting-helicopters/)