Khaya Vhailafuri is a very skilled carpenter. He is also passionate about football. Unlike many a football analyst or commentator, I’m convinced that Bra Khaya harbours no agenda. He just wants to see a winning Bafana Bafana squad. Over the past four days Bra Khaya and I have established a morning session of football talk. […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
On the vuvuzela and tolerance — part 2
I’m amazed! I have come to a conclusion that some of my people are paranoid and some of my people are angry. I submit that my previous article titled “On the vuvuzela and tolerance” was probably one of the most moderate and fair views on the subject. And I’m not blowing my horn! Popular football […]
Posted inGeneral
An Earl Rose among the thorns?
Last night I watched, with a sizeable amount of sadness and frustration, Earl Rose get the bird from the Newlands crowd. How on earth could anyone think this is the kind of behaviour you can display toward your own countryman while he wears a national jersey? Just who exactly does this serve? Snor picked the […]
Posted inLifestyle
A how to eat organic (and not feel like a Buddhist monk) guide
Somebody asked me to write a “How to eat organic and not feel like a Buddhist monk” guide. Firstly, I must admit that my knowledge of Buddhist lifestyles is almost non-existent — apart from the fact that some live under extreme religious and political suppression, wear bright colours and have shiny bald heads! There is […]
Posted inNews/Politics
West must lift sanctions on Zimbabwe
If regard is had to the approach being taken by US President Barack Obama in respect of dictatorships in general and the ongoing crisis in Iran in particular, then the decision to persist with sanctions against Zimbabwe is not only unfair, it’s cruel. In his new approach to foreign policy Obama has made it clear […]
Posted inGeneral
We deserve another Madiba
Every so often someone comes along who is so brave and so inspiring that they move you into action. These are men and women who have the power to galvanise an entire community to do something. Whenever they are around it becomes very difficult even for the self-satisfied to sit by and remain silent. In […]
Posted inSport
God and vuvuzelas defend New Zealand
By Roger Dickinson Prior to South Africa hosting and eventually winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup, then newly appointed South African minister of finance, Trevor Manuel, was severely criticised when he said he still supported the New Zealand All Blacks over the Springboks. This was heretical if not treasonous speech to many rugby-loving South Africans. […]
Posted inSport
Zuma’s inaugural dream becomes a reality
The last time I appeared in Protea Glen, Soweto, it was in court as a criminal attorney defending a man charged with murdering his fiancee. On that occasion hundreds of demonstrators harassed both the client and I as we attempted to seek justice from the magistrate rather than a mob. It turned out to be […]
Posted inLifestyle
Pedestrians and other road hazards
“The people in this town only know the pace of the cow,” said my aunt, who lives in Pietermaritzburg. She was responding to my husband’s moans about the way the locals took as long as possible to cross the road, so that they were still strolling along the tarmac long after the lights had turned […]
Posted inSport
Italian team a ‘disgrace’ as they snub Soweto kids
Yesterday I covered one of the most uplifting events in the history of South African sport and race relations. It was the launch of the Lucas Radebe Sustainable Legacy Park in Protea Glen, Soweto, sponsored by Blue Label Telecoms and put together by the South African Rugby Legends Association (Sarla). It was a wonderful occasion […]
Posted inGeneral
On the vuvuzela and tolerance
So, word on the street is that the Europeans want the vuvuzelas to be banned from the Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup. So what? Even the “Europeans” in Cape Province have previously alluded to the fear of black people blowing the horn in Greenpoint. Ok. Maybe there is distortion abound. For the record, […]
Posted inBusiness
Broccoli project scoops two prizes
The Broccoli Project, the rewards programme for the poor that I wrote about recently, walked away with the 2nd prize in Hit Barcelona’s Global Entrepreneurship Competition this past week. Spanish company Bmat won first prize. The Broccoli Project also won the award for “best social value” walking away with total prize money of 25 000 euros […]