What I find especially striking about Sentletse Diakanyo’s post of January 30 endorsing the myth of world Jewish power was the number of readers it attracted — at the time of writing fast approaching 9 000 (a record for Thought Leader?). Why has this grubby piece of crude conspiracy-theorising struck so responsive a chord? Maybe […]
2009
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle
So, have you changed your spending habits?
The new frugality? I know all about the new frugality. The global financial crisis is causing all sorts of people to change their spending habits. High-powered executives are –- shock, horror –- flying first class instead of taking the corporate jet, while their wives and mistresses are being forced to cut back on spending. Everybody […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Not everybody should be allowed to vote
Election fever is starting to grip the nation as it does round about this time, every 5 years. This is when that bunch of pretty uninspiring and overfed chair-breakers suddenly remember who made their obesity possible. As is the case around this time, there’s a lot of debate about who should be allowed to vote. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Time to muzzle the blue-light buffoons
Turns out the head of South Africa’s blue-light loony brigade is feeling a bit unloved. Sniff. Sob. Let’s all cry him a river. “The South African public doesn’t respect the vehicles of the VIP Protection Unit,” sniveled Commissioner Mzondeki “Sean” Tshabalala this week. Then, his voice cracking with bewilderment and emotion: “They simply refuse to […]
Posted inGeneral
The only way forward: 21st century socialism
By Melika Singh What kind of society is this? What kind of society impoverishes and alienates a majority, and enriches a minority? What kind of society promotes survival of the fittest before empathy and humanitarianism? What kind of society is this which excludes the majority from education — a vital human need? What kind of […]
Posted inGeneral
Afrikaans still imposed on learners at the expense of other African languages
Education is universally the most powerful tool for the emancipation, liberation and empowerment of the oppressed and marginalised. It is also the backbone to all life and fundamental to spiritual dynamism, moral integrity, personal freedom, political stability and economic growth. Language is critical for African learners as it is for English and Afrikaans-speaking learners to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
ANC deliberately uses intimidation for electioneering purposes
The ANC’s election strategy and tactics have assumed striking similarities to those adopted by Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF prior to the controversial March 29 elections last year. Zanu-PF used fear and political violence to demoralise and make it difficult for the MDC to challenge their political hegemony. That the ANC is desperate is an open secret […]
Posted inMedia
You know the US is in a recession when Cash4Gold.com advertises in the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is one of the most watched events on the US calendar. You can compare it with a Curry Cup final where the Blue Bulls are playing and Pretoria has a population of 50 million people. An estimated 100 million US viewers watched the final on Sunday. For most people the game on […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zimbabwe is Thereisenstadt, intensify sanctions but increase aid.
One of the greatest deceptions of World War II was the concentration camp established at Terezin (renamed Thereisenstadt by the Germans) near Prague in then Czechoslovakia. Though the Nazis gave it a pleasant looking facade, in order to fool the Red Cross, diplomats and world media, it was nothing more or less than a collection […]
Posted inGeneral
Polygamy revived, but to what end?
I attended a TV talk show recently where they debated the morality of polygamy. I was on the panel because I had written a piece on polygamy in January last year. The blog got tongues wagging. It was subsequently, and maybe more eloquently, covered by respected social commentators like the irrepressible Ndumiso Ngcobo, among others. […]
Posted inLifestyle
Reflections on the Chinese man I spat at
The sight must have been amusing and alarming: a tall, young Chinese man doing a flying kung fu kick and bouncing off my back. He then dashed off and I was rather relieved. The Chinese government takes a dim view of public scuffles; we could well have both ended up in a police station. What […]
Posted inGeneral
Literacy for all
There are a lot of people who talk the talk about making a difference so it’s always such a treat to find groups who walk the walk too. I’ve been on the lookout for an inspiring cause to support and last week I stumbled on the perfect one (for me, with my love of books […]