When former president Thabo Mbeki was confronted with allegations of corruption concerning — then deputy — President Jacob Zuma pursuant to the trial of convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik, he felt obliged to take action against his right-hand man. The resultant removal of Zuma from office had a major impact on the history of South African […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
‘Dropping your pants ain’t proof enough!’
By Cynthia Ayeza Mutabaazi I have been following the now controversial tales and rumours surrounding Caster Semenya. She holds a one minute, 56,72 seconds, 800m record, but not without question. The latest in track and field history, the Semenya controversy may very well leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many. According to her […]
Posted inNews/Politics, Sport
How we missed Madiba
It’s a strange feeling to watch the United States celebrate our heroes more effectively than we can. My father mailed me the link to the Arthur Ashe Courage Award presentation to Nelson Mandela which happened on the 19th July as part of the annual ESPY awards. If you haven’t seen it then stop reading now […]
Posted inSport
What’s the agend(er)?
By Jennifer Thorpe Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old athlete from South Africa wins a race with such speed and skill that she becomes the target of “gender probes”. Now for those of you who aren’t already uncomfortable with the thought of any sort of probe, this one should make you run for the hills. For people […]
Posted inMedia
Privacy disappearing one status update at a time
By Adam Wakefield One of the most cherished notions of a liberal society is that privacy is seen as a secondary right. While it doesn’t hold the weight of a natural right — since privacy is a notion manufactured by the technological advancement of our society — it is pretty important in democratic societies. It […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Elevating black voices the Spike Lee way
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Spike Lee’s film-making career. To those who do not know him, he is the first African-American to make it big in Hollywood, if you like. Lee produced and directed films like School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X and, my best movie, Bedazzled. Of course, he has […]
Posted inGeneral
Caster…
South Africa’s newspapers and websites are filled with the success of young 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya. After years of fairly apathetic athletic achievements, South Africans should be basking in the extraordinary win from this young, relatively unknown runner. But we’re not. A gender test has been called by the International Association of Athletics Federations, […]
Posted inGeneral
Semenya case exposes IAAF’s hypocrisy
Since winning the women’s 800m final at the Athletics World Championships, Caster Semenya has been asked to or has (the IAAF doesn’t seem to have a clue) taken a gender test. Does something smell not quite kosher? Being only 18, Semenya has a bright future ahead of her if the IAAF’s bungling of the situation […]
Posted inLifestyle
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superdickman!
Before you lower the considerably low opinion you already have of me for using profanity, please allow me to explain. Ladies, you all know what I’m talking about. The superhero. Superdickman. You might not know who he is but I’m about to tell you and once I have told you, you will recognise him. The […]
Posted inBusiness
Corporate social responsibility, does it work?
By Kim Polley What is in it for businesses and why should they invest in improving the environment and alleviating poverty? Companies in the private sector say they just want to do “the right thing” and “give something back” to the community. The sceptics on the other hand believe businesses are using these investments as […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is President Jacob Zuma justified in arguing against a debate on race in South Africa?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Is President Jacob Zuma justified in arguing against a debate on race in South Africa?
Posted inGeneral
Forgotten voices from another ‘stop the war’ campaign
So deep seated was the unpopularity of the last war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq that it was strongly in evidence even within the US and UK, the two main countries that waged it. Interesting, one finds parallels between this contemporary anti-war sentiment and what took place in South Africa a century previously when the British […]