You know a story has the potential to be controversial when the main protagonists don’t want, or aren’t allowed, to talk openly, or when they do, they don’t say much of value. This tale is about big actors posturing on the global stage, vying for dominance, with South Africa sat in the middle, wondering if and how we’ll get caught in the aftershock. The narrative arc spans the US/China trade war, the upcoming US elections, allegations of spycraft and the introduction of a policy targeted squarely at Chinese tech companies, like Huawei, which plays heavily locally, and then the potential impacts on Africa and South Africa. Ultimately, though, it’s a story about allegiances, agendas and trust.

Love him or loathe him, US President Donald Trump has certainly disrupted the norms of global politics. His first term has been characterised by a strangely un-American relationship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and notable clashes with the leaders of North Korea and China. He’s also sparred with many news and media outlets, preferring instead to use Twitter to make his thoughts known to the world, as well as endorse conspiracy theories that suit his agenda. When the mainstream media stories have called his words or actions to account, or adopted a contrary opinion to his own, he has responded with his self-coined ‘FAKE NEWS!’, sowing doubt and distrust of these institutions. Along with a rebellion against globalisation, and social media has played a significant part, society seems increasingly divided, trusting those news sources and opinions that match our own divergent views.