From Chapter 3 of the DA Manifesto: Pages 17 to 21 Social development There are a few other ideas which come to mind in respect of social development but on the whole the plan is solid and comprehensive. I am rather unhappy with the dependency on grants and social transfers but I think that the […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
The Opportunity Society: My response
From pages 10 to 17 of the DA manifesto: Image notes: Page 12, yet more photographic proof that the DA has supporters of colour. SCHOOLS School education lies at the heart of the open, opportunity society … and set clear performance targets. Agreeably radical subsidiarity will resolve most of the issues originating from differential contexts, […]
Posted inGeneral
Why I will vote DA
Traps came out of the closet lately and pledged his vote to the ANC. I respect his open approach and would like to follow suit with my views. There are three parties of national significance in the coming election. They are the ANC, Cope and the DA. I will be voting for the DA. Before […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Lahore attack just erased the line between sports and politics
One of the most heated and ongoing debates across the planet has been the dividing line between sports and politics. Though most of the major sports governing bodies such as Fifa, ICC and the IOC preclude government interference in local sports organisations this has not deterred politicians from trying to meddle in team selections, tours […]
Posted inGeneral
Power lodged in narrow hearts IV: The Netanyahu phenomenon
If there is one person who personifies the expansionist policy of Zionist Israel with ruthless cool-headedness, that person is Benjamin Netanyahu. Many years ago, in 1923, the founder of Jewish Legion, Vladimir Jabotinsky, wrote an article (“The Iron Wall”) in which he said, among other things, that “Zionism is a colonising adventure and therefore stands […]
Posted inLifestyle
Today Miles pitched up to make a difference in his own life
He pitched. Miles made good on his promise to admit himself for a week-long heroin detox at 8am on Tuesday, and when I called the hospital at 8.30am, to my enormous relief, I was told he was there and “with the doctors”. This may seem like an ordinary thing, like someone promising to arrive for […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Shaik medical parole: What about Shadrack X?
The decision to release Schabir Shaik on medical parole, just 28 months into the 15-year sentence he received for his conviction on fraud and corruption, is going to create the next political implosion just this side of the election. Sit down Carl Niehaus, please rise minister of correctional services it’s time for a session of […]
Posted inGeneral
Ertugral’s cardinal sin
On Sunday, when Manchester United completed the second chapter in their quest to rewrite the great game’s history books, poor Kaizer Chiefs head coach Muhsin Ertugral was committing a cardinal sin. Sir Alex Ferguson and his Red-hot Devils edged Tottenham to add the Carling Cup to the World Club Cup already at Old Trafford. The […]
Posted inLifestyle
Spending habits: What’s this global financial mess?
Hell yeah! What’s this global crisis all about? Am I living in a safe, warm cocoon here in Shanghai? The Chook and I mostly live on one income and stick away the other. Yet I read in a recent Time magazine article on the global crisis, titled “The Great Fall”, some scary stuff, or rather […]
Posted inLifestyle
Late night hallelujah chorus
I am always fascinated by what one can find taking place in abandoned parts of the city into the early hours of the morning. Last Friday we braved the seedier parts of the city to see Jim Neversink at Belavista in Bertrams. Normally the idea of a gig in a venue with a 360º view […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Lies, damned lies and tabloid statistics …
Business Day, The Citizen, Sowetan and the Sunday Times – four newspapers that need to pull up their statistical socks. And it’s the leading tabloid paper that avoids tabloid treatment of statistics.
Posted inLifestyle
Touch of madness adds edge to Design Indaba’s barrage of beauty
The constant barrage of creativity and beauty at the Design Indaba conference, held for three days every February in Cape Town, is exhausting. Halfway through, it’s easy to reach saturation point. “Oh God, not another perfect, glorious idea translated into another perfect, glorious chair/light/table … ” But then flashes of genius burst out, breaking all […]