If you want to know why ANC policy won’t change dramatically whoever wins in Polokwane, take a look at the front page of one of our daily business newspapers on Tuesday morning, which features a photo of Jacob Zuma, Tokyo Sexwale and Zwelinzima Vavi at a meeting at Wits University. All three are laughing and […]
2007
Posted inLifestyle
How come …
How come I did not know that Benoni means “son of my sorrow”? I was born in Benoni. Yet, I did not know the meaning of Benoni. It celebrated its centenary recently, and I learnt the meaning of Benoni. One hundred years later, and the hostels — built about 30 years ago — when entering […]
Posted inLifestyle
Wooden bicycles without steering? Steam motorcycles? It’s all in the name of fun
Have you ever wondered what people who don’t ride motorcycles do for fun? I’ve given this loads of thought, and I’m buggered if I know. But today they have a choice — the bikes are there; they just have to go out and buy ’em. Then I had a scary thought; what did would-be bikers […]
Posted inLifestyle
Wet in Malaysia
I am unfortunately still in Malaysia — Kuala Lumpur, to be precise. I qualify that statement with “unfortunately” because my boxer shorts are wet, I’m blind, I’m somewhat pissed off and I miss my mommy. Allow me to explain. But before I do, I need to make an observation. Since I started writing, I have […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media, News/Politics
It’s too much about the colour of the critic
Racism, no matter how disguised or nuanced, remains one of the ugliest and most deeply entrenched dark sides of human nature. It’s been in society since time immemorial. And it was naive of us to dream it would ever disappear — least of all in South Africa. It has taken on a million faces and […]
Posted inMedia
Shirt happens
The first email plopped into my inbox at 7.03pm. It was from the National Prosecuting Authority and the subject line was “Serial rapist found guilty”. “Justice George Maluleka,” read the statement, “has been found guilty of raping 57 women. He is by far one of the worst serial rapists in this country. He had caused […]
Posted inBusiness, Media, News/Politics
To skill a mockingbird
It is a tragic human failing that we find it so easy to take our elders for granted. Maybe because I am easing into that category with alacrity; maybe because I massacred so many brain cells as a piece of furniture at the Fed; but all the hype around skills shortages and development and training […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Eating humble pie on Jacob Zuma
In June this year I wrote on my blog that Jacob Zuma was “fading fast” and that his presidential bid was “done for”. Now, less than a week before the Polokwane conference, it is perhaps appropriate to eat humble pie and admit that I was spectacularly wrong. Even if Thabo Mbeki manages to win — […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Where the truth lies: South Africa’s crime statistics
This week a guard starts patrolling the beautiful, tree-lined street in which I live. Since January there have been 13 criminal incidents, including five armed robberies and five house-breakings, in our block of 20 houses. A woman was badly beaten in one incident and needed 13 stitches in her head. There has not been a […]
Posted inLifestyle
A dream deferred by the spawn of the devil
I am posting this from Malaysia, after a 10-hour trip. Economy class. Don’t judge me. The Johannesburg-to-Singapore leg of the trip has managed to reaffirm my belief in the existence of the devil. I have always held the view that the devil is a real phenomenon and that, in all likelihood, he has managed to […]
Posted inGeneral
Sixteen days without violence? What about men?
So that’s it, then. The 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children campaign is just about over, so we can settle back into our normal way of life. If Mrs Foster gets on my tits I’ll give her a good clout, and, while I’m at it, I might as well give the little […]
Posted inLifestyle
If you see Britney, give her a hug
Congratulations to the very young Jody Williams for winning over the hearts of thousands of South Africans and becoming the South African Idol for 2007. It’s not hard to see why she won: she’s cute, she can sing, she’s got spunk (though it took some time to emerge) and, most importantly, she’s the perfect pick […]