Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio. I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

With schools and daycare closed during the pandemic, working parents were always going

to have extra trouble. As the data have rolled in, the full effects on mental health, career

progression and widening gender divides are becoming clear.

And think of all the minutes you've spent trying to eag out the very last of the ketchup

or the peanut butter. Don't worry, material science is here to help. We look at a super

slippery surface that will help you get the most out of your toothpaste tube.

First, Mr. Zuma, could I ask you to stand please?

It took more than two decades to begin and after just one day it was adjourned until July.

Jacob Zuma, a former South African president, was in court last week for the first major

hearing of his corruption trial involving an arm's deal from the 1990s. Mr. Zuma was

president from 2009 until 2018 until he was forced to resign after a vote of no confidence.

He led the African National Congress or ANC party, which was itself involved in multiple

corruption scandals.

Mr. Zuma faces 18 counts of racketeering, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

The prosecutors leveled the accusation that he had taken some 700 rives.

But corruption in South Africa goes far beyond one man and one administration.

The case against Jacob Zuma is nearly as old as post-apoptic South Africa.

John McDermott is the economist's chief Africa correspondent and is based in South Africa.

The charges relate to a $2.5 billion deal to buy European military kit to upgrade South

Africa's armed forces way back in 1999 when Zuma was deputy president.

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