There’s something magical about wild things in the midst of the concrete jungle. A couple of years ago, at a party at a house in Parktown North, somebody spotted something interesting up a tree. A torch was fetched and there, in the beam of light, was a genet. It seemed utterly unconcerned by the gawking […]
2008
Posted inGeneral
A slice for everyone?
Throughout this land and much of the sub-continent, ordinary people are hoping to cash in on the world’s biggest single-code sporting event. But four years after South Africa was granted the rights to host the 2010 World Cup, it is still unclear how a tournament that promises to generate billions of rands will help the […]
Posted inGeneral
‘Two nations’: Who is stalling progress towards reconciliation?
There is an old saying in Japanese that goes: “Shobo-ni kidokunashi”, which can be construed to mean that “out of nothing comes nothing”; and indeed the present order of things social bear testimony to this adage. After 14 years of liberation, our society in all its formations is still very much divided along colour lines; […]
Posted inGeneral
Preparing to be awe-inspired at the Olympics
If watching the Olympics means enjoying events that blow you away because of the sheer athleticism, immense control, strength and amazing agility exhibited by the participants, then don’t miss the synchronised swimming, particularly the team competition. I’ve heard the arguments that synchro shouldn’t be at the Olympics because it isn’t a true “sport”. I counter […]
Posted inLifestyle
A taste of practical philosophy
I know what you’re thinking: Philosophy? It’s for aged, bearded gentlemen sitting around with nothing else to do but postulate on man’s quest for meaning. That may be so. Practical philosophy, on the other hand, is a little more, well, practical. For the past couple of Wednesdays I’ve been going to an intro course here […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is there any good reason for the Scorpions to be disbanded?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Is there any good reason for the Scorpions to be disbanded?
Posted inGeneral
Courage and boldness: It is time for the former
In his gripping historical novel on the life and times of Alcibiades of Athens, Tides of War (2000), Steven Pressfield recounts a speech given by the Spartan general Lysander — one among many historical events that shaped the course of the outcome of the decades-long Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta. In his address to […]
Posted inGeneral
Open letter to Sanzar: Deal or no deal
Gentlemen: Over the past 48 hours there have been a number of reports emanating from New Zealand and Australia concerning a hybrid tournament of the Super 14. Interesting proposals, but it clearly reveals the market is ready for change and that the Sanzar announcement last month of the expansion of the Super 14 finals to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Election 2009: Free-speech tonic or Kill Bill II?
In his address to students at the University of the Witwatersrand, the South African Human Rights Commission’s Jody Kollapen said that South Africans must prepare themselves for speech that will shock, disturb and offend them. “We’re going to find robust contestation around ideas,” Kollapen said. Cautioning the public against merely calling for this speech to […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Why Boesak appeals to disillusioned South Africans
I was asked by a reporter, after listening to Allan Boesak speaking at UWC last week, why people were attracted to his message. It’s not an easy question to answer because you have to consider all the water that has run under the bridge of Boesak’s life since his heyday in the 1980s. But after […]
Posted inLifestyle
A tomato is not a tomato; hoe rooier, hoe mooier
Following some of the commentaries to my post on patriotism, I feel the need to defend the tomato — especially the red tomato. Now you may wonder what on earth I am on about. Don’t I have enough work on my hands having to design two syllabi? A tomato is a tomato is a tomato, […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Presumed innocent, but is that enough?
Last year I spent a few hours in prison. Not as a guest of the state, I should add, but to accompany students on a study tour. Contrary to popular belief, a prison is not a great place to spend one’s life. It’s cramped and dark, the food is foul, one has no privacy and […]