The political weather reports have become increasingly extreme over the past year, with storms breaking out almost daily since the Brexit vote. The dangers have grown all the more intense, though, since the shock election of President Donald Trump, whose ‘America First’ mission statement seems intent on rerunning tried and failed policies of trade protectionism, bigoted nationalism and megaphone diplomacy. Hopefully, South African politicians will not be able to simply hide behind these gathering international clouds to continue with the destructive factional battles that are hindering much-needed socioeconomic reform.