With more than 130 dead in the aftermath of the Kenyan elections and Pakistan going through a maelstrom post-Benazir Bhutto, it is in the interests of all South Africans that president Thabo Mbeki map out an exit strategy sooner rather than later. I am not suggesting early elections but rather a measure of certainty being […]
2007
Posted inGeneral
Silwane throws the bones for 2008
The world is littered with people who make money for jam. It is just the way of the capitalist system. The trick about the capitalist system is to discover what it is that one has (product, skill, talent) that people are willing to pay for that is meaningless and has no value. This is why […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media, News/Politics, Sport
Generalisations of the year
Everybody knows generalisations are the heartbeat of truth. Leonard Cohen, the greatest living poet, said: “Everybody knows the dice are loaded, everybody rolls with their fingers crossed, everybody knows that the war is over, everybody knows that the good guys lost.” So the panel of pundits at TopEditor have put together the generalisations of 2007 […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Politics in 2008: The good, the bad and the likely
One of the few certainties about our politics is that things usually do not turn out nearly as bad, or as good, as we expect. The signs suggest that the political drama that the re-charging of Jacob Zuma will spark in 2008 will broadly follow this pattern. So prepare for neither doomsday nor Utopia as […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media
How to sell your soul in 10 easy steps
Assume I have no conscience or any morals. Assume I have a legitimately registered company or CC with hefty overdraft facilities. Here I am in South Africa just ready to make a buck from those most gullible of consumers — the worried (but wealthy) well, the health and wellness neurotics, the painted, dyed and cosmetic-dependent […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics, Sport, Tech
2008: A sneaky preview
Here’s what the coming year has in store for us, courtesy of Nostradamus’s greasy little ball. In January Saru announces what they call a “compromise candidate” to take over the role of Springbok coach. It is Andre Markgraaff, the former disgraced coach of telephone-tap/racist-comments fame.
Posted inGeneral
2008 : Nutcracker’s sweet or ballbreakers R Us? (Part II)
And now for something completely different: July World Youth Day will be celebrated in Sydney, Australia, and Bill Gates will step down from the day-to-day running of Microsoft. As the Jacob Zuma trial approaches, the government confirms that the decision on Jackie Selebi will be taken as soon as the minister of justice has returned […]
Posted inGeneral
2008: Disruptive, innovative, green
It seems as if Earth orbits faster around the sun every year. There is this theory that it is the result of us all being connected 365-24-7 and having a lot less off-time. This made me think of the coming year and how to slow things down. However, the activity bored me to tears within […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is Zuma Forrest Gump with a ‘sheeple’ following?
[Disclaimer: The author of this blog has never studied politics, journalism or any other discipline remotely useful in analyzing the ANC conference or any other political situation. Furthermore, he has been spotted at the student union canteen typing furiously on his PC in between healthy gulps of beer. Believe his pseudo-analysis at you own risk.] […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Living in interesting times
There is a Chinese curse about living in interesting times, and that has certainly been the case in South Africa this past year. The year 2007 will no doubt go down in South Africa as the year of Jacob Zuma. Internationally there were some other major events, such as the assassination of former Pakistani prime […]
Posted inTech
Seven web predictions for 2008
I always wanted to be like Siener Van Rensburg, except without the beard, male-pattern baldness and crazy right-wing followers. Predicting the future seems to be a pretty easy gig — if people find out you are wrong on something you simply make up some new predictions, and if you turn out to be right you […]
Posted inGeneral
2008: Nutcracker’s sweet or ballbreakers R Us? (Part I)
So don’t yield to the fortunes — You sometimes see as fate — It may have a new perspective — On a different date — And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in — You may just be OK. (Mike and the Mechanics, Living Years) 2008 may well prove to be pivotal in […]