I am as sentimental as the next person. Really, I am. And I did my Shakespeare at school, and I know the story about the tragic hero — a great man, with a fatal flaw. I love those Elizabethan tragedies, real and imagined: poor Mary, Queen of Scots, going bravely to her death in a […]
2008
Posted inGeneral
What about Mbeki the man?
What about Mbeki the man? That was all I could think about during Mbeki’s resignation speech last night. It was a beautiful speech. He said it nobly and with great respect and I was very impressed and even quite moved (which, from the man who has been anything but an emotional president, is quite remarkable). […]
Posted inLifestyle
‘I’m a racist. You’re a racist. Let’s talk.’ Bzzt! Wrong answer (part 2)
The second in a series The woman with whom I am sharing the lift as we descend to the ground floor of our apartment building is a complete stranger. I reach across and touch her clothing: gently pull at the blouse on her waist area. She keeps smiling at me, nodding. I smile back, as […]
Posted inGeneral
President Mbeki, Godspeed!
On Sunday evening, September 21 2008, I somehow felt that no human being could fail to be deeply moved by the address of President Thabo Mbeki to the nation on occasion of his resignation from the highest office, after being pushed by vindictive members of the party to which he had dedicated his life and […]
Posted inBusiness
Of fairy tales and other horror stories
Imagine this modern-day scenario. We can even start this off with: once upon a recent time, a very small bunch of clever big people set up a scheme that made them a huge amount of money over many years. Then, in their greed to make even more money than reasonably could be expected, they overextended […]
Posted inGeneral
Draw at Stamford Bridge leaves Gunners on top
Arsenal were in irresistible form at the Reebok on Saturday, overturning an early Kevin Davies goal to run out 3-1 winners. They looked like the Gooners of last season and, while they’re back on top, the fear is that once again there are too many babies in the side. On current form the only sides […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The mighty has fallen, wounded and humiliated by his own comrades!
William Butler Yeats in the The Second Coming uses religious symbolism to illustrate his anguish over the apparent decline of Europe’s ruling class. The poem is more poignant given the depressing political events in our country. Yeats said: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mbeki recall and Nicholson’s judgement are not closure
One of the primary catalysts for ousting President Thabo Mbeki has been cited as the attempt to seek the repeal or reversal of the judgement handed down by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson — the decision to challenge that part of the judgement which indicated that Mbeki had interfered in the prosecution of ANC […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The Republicanisation of the ANC
As my train passed Washington National Airport at dusk the day before 9/11, I was overcome by a sudden spell of warmth and fuzziness. I had just finished my second stint of voter registration in Fairfax county — in Northern Virginia — and was enjoying reading Jeffrey Toobin’s The Nine, an absorbing tale of the […]
Posted inNews/Politics
How little South Ossetia changed the world
When Georgia invaded South Ossetia on 7 August 2008, very few people had even heard of the place. A month on and the crisis in the breakaway republic is causing a monumental shift in the power play of the worlds greatest nations. It may not be apparent yet but South Ossetia could dramatically change our […]
Posted inNews/Politics
ANC recalls Mbeki: unity or something else?
Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the African National Congress, has confirmed that the National Executive Committee had reached consensus in the early hours of Saturday morning to recall national President Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki is not expected to fight the recall although the Constitution does not provide the steps that would need to be taken to implement […]
Posted inNews/Politics
“Prosecute President Mbeki, Maduna and Ngcuka!”
Judge Willem Heath has engaged in some extrajudicial adventures and a personal crusade against President Mbeki, former Minister of Justice Panuel Maduna and former Director of National Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka. Heath has suggested that charges be laid against these three men following the injudicious inferences contained in the judgment passed by Judge Nicholson. According to […]