Peter Attard Montalto: Resistance is futile. Jacob Zuma doesn't care, in full control.

For some months already, Nomura's emerging markets investment economist Peter Attard Montalto has painted a bearish picture for SA-optimists. He's also been depressingly accurate. The city of London's go-to man on the pricing of SA assets correctly forecast the firing of Pravin Gordhan; a continued expansion of the Zuptoids; and the inability of the president's enemies to eject the corrupted president. He expects the country's most likely future to be a continuation of a status quo where Zuma's ex-wife gets to succeed him, the politically connected continue to plunder, the ANC continues to rule, the SA economy keeps sliding, unemployment rises still further, and the value of SA assets deteriorates. Ready to slit your wrists? Not just yet - there is a ray of hope. This most rational of beings reckons if citizens turn out in the millions on Friday to protest, then his likely scenario would change. If you didn't already realise how much is at stake, have a close listen. - Alec Hogg