Saturday, September 27 2008 Barclays Premier League Arsenal v Hull City (Home win) League leaders should have far too much for Hull City despite a decent start from the newly promoted side. Hull threw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Everton and will pay in blood if they defend against the Gunners […]
2008
Posted inGeneral
Calls for calm after political upheaval
It’s no secret that FIFA, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and other key 2010 World Cup role-players are observing the political developments in South Africa closely. Following the dramatic axing of president Thabo Mbeki, Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi, who also heads the LOC’s finance and procurement committee, was one of 14 ministers who […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Kgalema Motlanthe from Xuma to Zuma
Isn’t it ironic that South Africa’s new president Kgalema Motlanthe was born in 1949 — the year that Dr Alfred Bitini Xuma, who had been ANC president from 1940 to 1949, was ousted by radical elements within the party, particularly the ANCYL, who believed that he was too moderate? Dr Xuma, a medical doctor who […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is Manto undead?
My fellow citizens, it is time, I believe, to seriously consider whether or not South Africa’s erstwhile Minister of Health is a creature that crept through a portal from a parallel universe and was unleashed upon us to wreak havoc, sow death and destruction etc etc. A bit like those bits of ectoplasm that flew […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The day I met Manto
I was studying in New Delhi when a hero from the local courier service dropped by with an invite for the party of the year. It was ten years since 1994 and the South African Embassy was hosting a monstrously huge bash to celebrate our decade long democracy. Never mind the histrionics regarding the hosting […]
Posted inLifestyle
Madam & Li: of maids and teaspoons
Okay, it’s a myth. Maids do not pinch teaspoons or other items of cutlery. The folk tale in my childhood circle of family and friends in Boksburg and Joburg was that “they” did. “Oh for god’s sake,” my mother would mutter as she rummaged through the cutlery drawer, “we’re down to nine teaspoons again. I […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Broedertwis: a brotherly war has ensued between Mbeki and Zuma
The decision by Jacob Zuma to oppose former president Mbeki’s application to the Constitutional Court to appeal sections of the Nicholson judgment may be the beginning of the end of his political career if the court rules in favour of the former president. The ruling would be a blow to Zuma’s attempt to escape criminal […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Of Aids, economics, fortune-telling and black swans
As a director of BusinessMap, a research organisation, it was my task to brief foreign investors about the political and economic challenges they might face in investing in South Africa. A question they often asked was: “What economic impact will the HIV-Aids virus have?” At first I would answer that it was difficult if not […]
Posted inNews/Politics
So, the dog finally catches its tail.
I really enjoyed seeing president Mbeki being booted out of office last week. No, not because I necessarily wanted him out. I quite enjoyed his time at the helm. Only a cursory glance through my posts will reveal that I quite like Mbeki — especially his brain. It’s a penchant I share with an individual […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is this actual fresh air, or did someone turn on an airconditioner? (See note at foot of post)
A little rant from time to time is rarely a bad thing … I have never been apocalyptic about the possibility of a Jacob Zuma presidency. Setting aside any actual or purported crimes and misdemeanors, the red mist that descends over some people from time to time, or Zuma’s actual ideas about HIV/Aids; the idea […]
Posted inGeneral
Venables rejects Newcastle
Terry Venables has confirmed that he has had talks with Newcastle about filling in for Kevin Keegan, who left the club recently, but rejected the offer. The position will start as caretaker as nothing can be finalised until the club has been sold by Mike Ashley. As far as fans are concerned his continued ownership […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Chemical castration for rapists?
Poland, in response to a shocking case of incest, is set to table legislation which will enable judges to sentence paedophiles to chemical castration. The bill, if passed, will be the first of its kind within the European Union and will spark intense debate both in Poland and the EU. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4825252.ece The case, involving a […]