My last post as an aggrieved Nedbank customer drew a lot of interest and made me, very briefly I admit, almost as popular as Michael Trapido. Encouraged, I offer you Chapter 2 of my small business nightmare: today Telkom cut off my phones without warning. When I finally got through to their call-centre I was […]
2008
Posted inNews/Politics
Just what a prime minister needs: a crisis
Not everyone is suffering as a result of the global financial crisis. In fact, the possible catastrophic collapse of the financial system as we have come to know it has done wonders for at least two dull, middle aged men, namely Gordon Brown and Kevin Rudd. Gordon Brown was a dead man walking a month […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Lekota: new dawn or false dawn?
Mosiuoa Lekota’s moves over the past week have been very interesting to follow, but his future remains very much a murky mist. While it would be fantastic for our longer-term democratic foundation, there are two key issues that dampen my optimism about Lekota’s new party. The first is that this is a party very much […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mbeki needs to defuse fears of Zimbabwe military
A New York Times article headlined “Zimbabwe generals’ fears of prosecution threaten deal” has cut to the chase on what is proving to be the major stumbling block to the implementation of that country’s power-sharing deal. The agreement reached previously always had contemplated that Robert Mugabe would retain the Presidency and lead the Cabinet, while […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The ANC is not collapsing!
It would be naive and dishonest to accept the argument by Sentletse Diakanyo that the ANC has collapsed such that we should “welcome a new beginning”. Despite the pomp and demagogy that surrounds his thinking, his paper is premised on two main hugely empty arguments: (1) the ANC took a “fatal” decision by “firing” Thabo […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media
African Renaissance’s half-baked ‘Native Experts’
It would seem the greatest waste of time in post-1994 society is to try to find logic why white political strategists, advertising gurus and marketing experts are considered native experts, especially by hoodwinked indigenous African people. After all, they neither speak African languages nor have an intuitive connection to grassroots people. The fact that white […]
Posted inGeneral
Why are Afrikaners still holding General Smuts in highest regard?
Allow me first to pick on Afrikaners to make my point, even though I expect to be accused of racism and being divisive. I have been most astounded by the general hypocrisy of South Africans, all South Africans. But I have particularly observed that many Afrikaners are passionate about their history and guard it jealously; […]
Posted inGeneral
What happens to Pikoli?
Submitted by Loammi Wolf With the resignation of president Thabo Mbeki from office, the following questions arise: What is going to happen to the suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Vusi Pikoli? Has Dr Frene Ginwala completed her report? Was it already handed over to the former president? What are the legal consequences of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
McCain’s ever-diminishing bag of tricks
In just three weeks, Americans go to the polls to elect a new president. All the polls strongly suggest that if the election were held today, That One would sweep to victory. FiveThirtyEight.com, which aims to “accumulate and analyse polling and political data in way that is informed, accurate and attractive … to give … […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Africa Command: Militarising or improving US Africa policy?
In my short time in South Africa, few elements of US foreign policy in Africa have raised as much ire or confusion among the people I talk to as the new US Africa Command (Africom). Officially launched at the beginning of October, despite lingering scepticism both across the continent and in the US, Africom consolidates […]
Posted inNews/Politics, Sport
‘The Springbok emblem must go!’
South Africans in general, black and white, appear to have an allergic reaction to change. While we all recognise and acknowledge the need to transform public institutions in whatever form to be reflective of the society they represent, we are quick to oppose attempts to move towards that particular ideal. The ushering of democracy necessitated […]
Posted inGeneral
Luke Watson, the media and the truth
I’m not Luke Watson’s biggest fan, but this week, the guy has been unjustly vilified by the “conservative” media who, I suspect, have an agenda and are using Watson as a tool to pursue their goals. I might be wrong, but until proven otherwise, I’m convicted to that view. I’m not saying Luke is a […]