It’s Christmas and I’m tired of politics, I want to inject some meaning into my life. It’s fashionable to scoff at Christmas but I’m impressed by the way Muslims respect Ramadan, Jews observe Hanukah and the Passover, and Hindus celebrate Diwali and Holi, because these special times are designed to make us pull back and […]
2007
Posted inNews/Politics
Mr Jacob Zuma’s unofficial spokesperson
As I write this, I’m sitting on my cranky old couch watching Jacob Zuma defend himself against questioning from an astute journalist who has taken a line of questioning that questions his relationship with one currently incarcerated Schabir Shaik, among other issues that form the image of the new president of the African National Congress. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
If Zuma equals Zimbabwe, then Winnie must be my cousin
Have I got the wrong end of the brolly? I purposely stood back and watched the events of Polokwane unfold before trying to put together some sort of semi-rational analysis — not easy when you read some of the articles in the overseas press. They snatch at words or terms used in the run-up to […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Zuma memes
In the US coverage of President Thabo Mbeki, you constantly bump into words such as “aloof”, “technocratic”, “professorial” and, with regard to Aids in particular, “eccentric”. These are strands of the DNA of the dominant memes about him over here. Jacob Zuma’s memes are still in flux, which means he still has some control over […]
Posted inNews/Politics
If Zuma were a share
If Zuma were a share and you had told me to buy, buy, buy a year ago, I would have thought you were crazy and spent all my money speculating on the blue-chip “Tokyo” or the possible new listing “Ramaphosa” instead. Perhaps that is both equally an indication that Jacob Zuma’s political recovery has been […]
Posted inLifestyle
Why I’m not buying a car
For a couple of weeks now, I’ve been walking to work. This is a radical move in Jo’burg, where one routinely drives to the neighbourhood convenience store for a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread, and where the new suburbs are designed on the assumption that you live in your car, going home […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Now we know what we aren’t — but what are we?
OK, so we know now that we are not Zimbabwe. It will take a whole lot longer before we know clearly what we are — or, rather, what we are becoming. The key implication of the Zuma victory is, surely, the point made by some grassroots delegates and a few commentators this week: that it […]
Posted inMedia
Polokwane viewed from Washington
What does Jacob Zuma’s election as president of the ANC do for South Africa’s overall image in the United States? At first blush the answer has to be: “Not a lot.” The things he said at his rape trial, the machine-gun song and the possibility of him still being tried for corruption all figured prominently […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Where have all the fun ones gone?
Of course, now that the RPs (reluctant punters) have made their bucks on the Zuma pot, the world is abuzz with predictions. I made a cool R250 on a Zuma win — c’mon, at 10:1 it was a straight gimme! Anyway, with my new wealth, I went shopping at Northgate. I was looking for Andrew […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Zuma: Reap the whirlwind
It felt strangely like a wake, watching the inevitability of Jacob Zuma’s election as the new head of the ANC. Unless he is convicted on corruption charges he is now a near-certainty to become the next South African president in 2009. That’s what you get for half-hearted commitment to market reforms and economic freedom.
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Today is the first day of our democracy
Today is the first day of our democracy. Polokwane has been seminal. The African National Congress is no longer an idealised liberation movement, but is now just a political party and as such it has to pull finger and perform. Effective work must begin to balance the interests of the rich and the poor. It […]
Posted inGeneral
Sweet 16, never been kissed: A tale of the Sexual Offences Act
Before any of you start writing in to tell me that the Act wouldn’t affect an ugly old goat like me, I want to place on record that some of my old girlfriends have won competitions! These include, but are not limited to, the Crufts Hurdling Champion 1984, Epol Allcomers (any breed) 1985 and the […]