I know the New Testament passage singles out “rich men”, but the condemnation is levelled in the context of hypocrites. Jesus scandalises a gathering by saying: “It will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a (hypocrite) to enter the kingdom of God”. Irrespective of whether he […]
2009
On SA politics: our public selves, our private elves (yes, elves)
Probably the most fascinating “novel” I have ever read is JM Coetzee’s recent Diary of a Bad Year. It is written on three levels on most pages, with a line between each level: Narrative one: the public figure, JC, where we read his observations on a variety of contemporary topics in scholarly articles ranging from […]
Obama’s disdain sends Mugabe to Russia; China revisited?
In June of last year Barack Obama, soon to be inaugurated as the next president of the United States, declared Robert Mugabe’s regime illegitimate and lacking in credibility. Then Senator for Illinois, Obama expressed the view that “If fresh elections prove impossible, the US and other countries should tighten “targeted sanctions” and “pursue an enforceable, […]
South Africa on centre stage in 2009
It’s safe to say that 2009 will be the most important year in this country’s sporting history. In just six months, some of the giants of international football (including Brazil and Italy) will compete in the Confederations Cup. With a $17-million prize fund, it will be the biggest sporting event ever staged on the African […]
Israel-Gaza: What will bring about lasting peace?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Israel-Gaza: What will bring about lasting peace?
Buyology — how we’re brainwashed into buying stuff
We’ve always suspected those tawdry health warnings on a packet of fags were rather dumb, but never knew why. Well, it seems that, contrary to discouraging smoking, they actually encourage lighting up by stimulating the nucleus accumbens — the craving spot — in the brain. This recent research finding in what’s called “buy*ology” is a […]
A Digital Concert Hall
It’s been a really long time since I’ve been bowled over by technology. And I must say that this time around it’s not really the tech stuff that floored me and got me doing the OMG thing. It’s the use of existing technology that got me jumping up and down. It’s not actually even innovative […]
What if Helen Suzman was an underground ANC member of the Mandela Detachment?
A lot has been written about the passing away of South Africa greatest liberal hero, Helen Suzman. I guess the reasons for this are obvious: she held center stage in national politics when Nelson Mandela was in jail, Oliver Tambo in exile, Steve Biko murdered and Robert Sobukwe restricted. But I must say that I […]
Hoskins to invite Argentina to Dance in 2012 – Let the Music begin in 2009
South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. could make southern hemisphere and Super Rugby more valuable to sponsors and broadcasters with an attractive rugby spectacle by introducing a coherent rugby inventory that complements the existing domestic and international tournaments and makes the Super 14 stronger. SA Rugby’s Hoskins as Chairman of Sanzar, […]
Zuma and Selebi conundrums
South Africans have every right to look to the government for an explanation of their handling of the Scorpions and Vusi Pikoli disbandment and dismissal. In both cases the impression that is left is that, regardless of the feelings of the citizens of this country and the findings of the commissions into both issues, the […]
Another year in the pursuit of misery
It’s that time of the year again when most people are in a resolute mood about all the things they’re going to change in the next twelve months. Needless to say, they won’t achieve anything. Nothing substantial in any case. The fatties won’t put down the supersized Double McGrease Deluxe Whopper Meals with extra onion […]
The house of hunger
If Princeton economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman is to be believed, 2009 could be a very tricky year. Forget tricky; it has the potential to be an outright disaster. The sad thing is that this financial mess will probably affect weaker economies disproportionately, even though they had the least to do with […]