I had a meeting with the head of school a couple of weeks ago to discuss a possible topic for my PhD thesis; it was quick. It went something like this: “So professor, I am keen to explore the Nigerian film industry. I have some great ideas.” He responds: “That’s wonderful Michelle; it will involve […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
Our pal China: Big daddy loves you, SA!
Some articles have appeared recently on Thought Leader with regard to “China taking over the world”. It is also big in the current literature, for example Martin Jaques’s recent When China Rules the World. The key word there, of course, is “when”, not “if”. The book to some extent explores the “how”, and, to state […]
Posted inGeneral
Full marks to Cosatu on new ‘arms-deal scandal’
“Cosatu has called for a full investigation into the A400M military transport plane deal, which will reportedly cost the taxpayer an extra R30-billion. Spokesman Patrick Craven said on Friday the trade union federation was outraged at what he called “another arms deal scandal” which could cost South Africans R47-billion. “The deal, negotiated by the Armscor […]
Posted inGeneral
What would you do?
Yesterday a German artist released his exhibition of Nazi Gnomes in a square that was once used for pro-Hitler parades. The exhibition has 1250 gnomes moulded into a typical Nazi salute. This salute, and any other pro-Hitler rhetoric is illegal (for humans) in Germany. Some gnomes are golden and others are black. The artist claims […]
Posted inGeneral
Why it’s fun taking the mickey out of the Blue Bulls
Tomorrow’s Absa Currie Cup final will see the best of the north travel to the Cape to try and blitzkrieg the Newlands faithful. It doesn’t get any more provincial then Western Province versus the Blue Bulls. Newlands is sold out and a great atmosphere is guaranteed for those in the stadium and watching on TV. […]
Posted inGeneral
M-novels on the rise
M-novels, or mobile novels (stories on your cellphone) are on the rise in South Africa, as Michelle Matthews explained so well in “Cell-lit is all the rage”. In SA there is about 10% PC-based internet connectivity, while the number of people with access to cellphones ranges from 60% to 90% (depending on which community you […]
Posted inGeneral
Why make it so hard to be proudly South African?
There is a temptation to see South Africa as a self-cannibalising charity case. Given the vast number of charitable causes, NGOs, NPOs and beggars on the streets, it seems everyone has a hand out. And given the ANC government’s appalling record on social upliftment issues from health to housing to employment, even the ordinary individual […]
Posted inGeneral
Should Santana get the chop?
A tournament where the hosts never get beyond the first round is always dreaded because the general buzz and interest dies down. Bafana are not doing enough to allay this fear. France went all the way in 1998, South Korea kept the torch burning after Japan got knocked out when they were co-hosts in 2002 […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Africa united for the environment
Africans have come together to demand that wealthy countries take responsibility for messing up the planet. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that Africa demands equal partner status at the global climate summit to be held in Copenhagen this December. “Africa will not be there warming the chairs or making token statements,” Zenawi said. Africa […]
Posted inGeneral
Has Agliotti totally damaged the state’s case against Jackie Selebi?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Has Agliotti totally damaged the state’s case against Jackie Selebi?
Posted inMedia
Social media this, social media that
I got Barack Obama to answer my question, thanks to social media. I’ll get into that in a second. (Excuse me while I go on Twitter to see what my friends are saying.) I’m back. So what the heck is this social media thing? Unlike newspapers, TV and radio, it is not one-way. It is […]
Posted inLifestyle
Where do you go to pick up women these days?
Perhaps it’s the white wine I am drinking (the bar opens on Wednesdays here. Most ad agencies run on slightly advanced versions of the dop system). Perhaps it’s the fact that I am single again after nearly nine years of marriage. And perhaps it’s the fact that I was once hit on by a German-Nigerian […]