The dawn of winter in South Africa marks a drop in temperature as is nature's norm. However, in direct contrast, temperatures are rising in the country's diplomatic arena.
Thanks to Israel and Egypt, heat generated by their foolish actions may offset some of South Africa's harsh winter cold.
In the case of Israel's rightwing regime, it has outlawed a senior South African Cabinet member of the ANC-led government of President Zuma.
Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, who also is Secretary-General of the SA Communist Party (SACP), has been barred from travelling to Palestine. Israel's embassy in Pretoria has denied him a visa thus restricting his freedom of movement.
Paradoxically, Israel's American born envoy Arthur Lenk has complete freedom to travel without hindrance in any part of South Africa with full diplomatic protection.
Not only has the decision to shackle Nzimande raised anger in government circles, it has become a hot potato within the tripartite alliance which is made up of the ANC, the labour movement COSATU and the SACP.