The announcement of the resignations of 14 Cabinet ministers including the deputy president and Trevor Manuel, regardless of arrogant denials of the ANC, caused a frightful tremor along the corridors of Luthuli House, the ANC’s headquarters. The hurried press conference called by Gwede Mantashe — when markets began tumbling on the news — was a […]
2008
Posted inGeneral
West Ham and Fulham crash out of the Carling Cup
West Ham’s new manager Gianfranco Zola came down to earth following a win at the weekend with the Hammers crashing out of the Carling Cup at Vicarage Road thanks to a Hayden Mullins own goal. Fulham is another premiership side from the capital also making a third round exit going down to a late winner […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zimbabwe stalemate an opportunity for Zanu-PF
While many sceptics believe the deal engineered by President Thabo Mbeki would afford Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe the opportunity to again outwit his opponents and carry on regardless, this is completely divorced from the reality. In fact, the country has ground to a standstill while Mugabe and those still loyal to him attempt to cling […]
Posted inLifestyle
A survival guide to teaching in China
Have a rucksack for everything you’ll need: some schools will not give you a key to your shared office, though keys are given to Chinese teachers. This, I am solemnly told, is for “security” reasons. That is to say, while you will have considerable difficulty at night getting past the security guards on the massive, […]
Posted inGeneral
Foucault on intellectuals
In ‘Truth and power’ (1980), Michel Foucault elaborates on different kinds of intellectuals – the ‘universal’ and ‘specific’ intellectual, respectively – in the context of the question regarding the political status of science and its potential ideological functions, especially within universities. The issues raised by this are summed up by Foucault in ‘two words: power […]
Posted inNews/Politics
ANC in turmoil: National crisis or business as usual?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: ANC in turmoil: Political crisis or business as usual?
Posted inNews/Politics
When Mbeki goes, it will be ‘business unusual’
Perhaps someone must warn my country men not to gnash their teeth now that the ANC has asked its … er, former president to return to base. There has been too much political noise following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki as president of the continent’s youngest democracy. Look, the man has quit and the […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media
GP’s toxic and seductive phenomenon..
One Friday night, not long ago, I wondered why the youth of GP were dancing. What are they cheerful about in the midst of the countless ills besetting our country? My attempt to find the answer to this question also gives clues to where I have been hiding for the past year. I scribbled the […]
Posted inGeneral
Premiership: Nigerian group to acquire Newcastle and reinstate Keegan
Sky news are suggesting that a Nigerian group are in the process of trying to acquire Newcastle United from chairman Mike Ashley. Should the deal go through they will be reinstating Kevin Keegan as manager. UEFA president Michel Platini in a newspaper interview has strongly criticised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for having a business rather […]
Posted inGeneral
Monsters Inc. 2010 style
What on earth is THAT thing? Jesus, Mary, Mariah and Whitney! Did you see that? Are they for real!? That looks like something you would get if you moved Joburg Zoo to the inner reactor at Koeberg and let some saboteur loose with a bolt. How on earth did an entire collective of professionals decide […]
Posted inNews/Politics
President Mbeki and the hornets’ nest
Once upon a time in a land far, far away there lived a president who was much loved and yet much maligned by his flock. While some considered him very, very good, others thought he was very, very bad and suggested that he take leave of them and flock off. This was very confusing to […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Africans need not apologise for affirmative action
It is always disappointing to read or listen to a story of an African who refuses to acknowledge that, directly or indirectly, they benefit from affirmative action. Unfortunately, there are some Africans who claim to have made it on their own, without any help from affirmative action. This is a tragic development, indeed. Africans need […]