Changes in global financial and power relationships are processes that are increasingly inevitable. In part one of this two-part series we analysed the background to Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) initiating a South-South Development Bank that could significantly change the current world financial system. This week we take a look at how this process is unfolding.

Government intelligence services across the globe are increasingly investing billions to explore social networks, email traffic and even everyday telephone calls as sources for gathering intelligence. In the process, the privacy of ordinary citizens has come under serious threat. At the same time, social networks are also being used for covert operations and propaganda.

Going into the second round of the 2012 French presidential election, ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy’s reputation took a blow from media reports that the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi offered him financial assistance for the 2007 French presidential election. Despite vehement denials, there is a long history of corrupt relationships between French and African political leaders.

On Sunday Nicolas Sarkozy became the eleventh European leader to lose power since the economic crisis started in 2008. Within hours, Greece’s leader became number twelve as it became clear that Greek voters have rejected the two “pro-austerity” parties in that country’s general election. With these results, all the uncertainties surrounding Europe’s sovereign debt crisis have returned. For South Africa, there can be profound consequences.

If you are a serious rugby fan and a supporter of the Springbok team, you might have been horrified by the news that the national coach plans to bring Victor Matfield out of retirement to captain the team. You would not have been far off the mark if you described your reaction as flabbergasted: as if you had been smacked in the face on your mouth.

Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will contend against each other in the 2012 knockout Nedbank Cup final on 26 May after they reached the finals in contrasting styles. But they will also meet in what could be a league decider for the Absa Premier Soccer League competition this coming Saturday.

The silence is deafening in the countdown to the Springboks' upcoming tests against England in June – the first of the new season. Why is South Africa still in the dark about who the new Springbok skipper will be, and why is there so much secrecy about the plans of the Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw, both sem-retired players?