This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: ANC against Cope’s name: Spoiling tactics or legitimate politics?
2008
Posted inNews/Politics
Electoral system in need of reform
I hold no particular candle for Bantu Holomisa or his party. I’m sure he doesn’t even know who I am. The comment piece below is from this morning’s Cape Times, and, while it patently does not advocate as harsh anti-voting views as mine, it is, I think, enlightening in what it discloses about the Independent […]
Posted inGeneral
Mama Africa passes the baton
With the passing of legendary singer Miriam Makeba, South African music is once again in the international spotlight. Perhaps this is an opportune moment to reflect on the chorus of local music that is taking shape in the build-up to 2010. In 2000 when a FIFA delegation first visited these shores to assess SA’s readiness […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
The nature of the beast & what goes around …
Just got home after attending a debate on freedom of expression at the University of Johannesburg (it’s 9.20pm GMT +2 — we journos like accuracy, see). The debate, sponsored by The Weekender newspaper, was chaired by Prof. Adam Habib and featured Jessie Duarte, spokeswoman for the ANC, Patrick Craven, spokesman for Cosatu, Karima Brown, political […]
Posted inNews/Politics
‘Power sharing’ and not ‘shared responsibility’ is the problem with African politics
The dirty face of politics in Africa is the abnormal fixation on sharing rather than distributing responsibilities in managing the resources and the sovereignty of states. This seems to be the main underlying problem in the current Zimbabwe impasse, for instance. The same is still true of Kenya, and other hot spots in the continent. […]
Posted inGeneral
Ruan silences his critics in the best possible way
Hopefully Ruan Pienaar has now silenced all his critics and detractors. He came through what some have called his “baptism of fire” as starting fly half with flying colours for the Springboks against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff last week. Now he must be allowed to settle down and get on with the […]
Posted inGeneral
We, the naïve, salute the ideal
Submitted by EMil Wentzel Every week I read Thought Leader for interesting articles that challenge my frame of mind and particular bias; I’m pleased that my view has been expanded on or crushed and changed constantly. It reminds me that we must stay malleable and exposed to the fine facets of our society through interaction; […]
Posted inLifestyle
Hannah Jones: not euthenasia, just heartbreaking
What should the courts or the state do when a 13-year-old girl refuses to undergo a heart transplant, which may or may not extend her life? Intervene and compel the operation or adhere to the wishes of the child? Before reading further bear in mind your initial answer to the question set out above, which […]
Posted inLifestyle
The magnetic symbolism of Chinese characters
I have resisted trying to learn written Chinese for a long time. It was like trying to read a forest of wind-whistled leaves and twigs. To wit: 我的中文的名字大树. Then I gained interest as I discovered the unbelievably magnetic symbolism attached to some of the characters. Now I know 我的中文的 名字大树 means “My Chinese name is […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media, News/Politics
Get to know your leaders:let’s have a Big Brother election!
Two dozen political candidates, four hookers, one house, loads of booze, and ready access to weapons. Each candidate would be given R10 000 to protect, all cupboard keys would be removed, and the hookers’ gender balance would be adjusted periodically to match the needs of the remaining housemates. Within a month or two we’d surely […]
Posted inBusiness
The colossal failure of credit rating agencies to prevent the global financial crisis
The role of credit rating agencies such as Fitch Ratings Agency, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s has been under greater scrutiny since the subprime crisis caused havoc in the US economy and spilled to others. It is without doubt that these rating agencies have been the law unto themselves and accorded absolute power to shape […]
Posted inNews/Politics
DR Congo: putting lipstick on pigs at the trough
While the planet is running around screaming “don’t panic!”, the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the big one on the map, the small one is the Republic of Congo) continues to rapidly deteriorate. Unchecked vested interest groups are once again coming home to roost and it’s going to get real ugly, real soon. […]