EISH! What a tough day for humanity! With the World Health Organisation raising the global alert level to Phase 5 meaning that a worldwide pandemic of the killer H1N1 influenza virus is imminent, the world — that’s all of us — is now locked in combat with two enemies. The existing one is the global […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
Indeed working together we must do more!
Unity is the mantra of every politician, whether inspired by well-meaning intentions or purely populist rhetoric and self-serving interests, it is a constant refrain. A united country seldom serves the immediate populist interests of holders of public office. When all of us are unified by common interests, populists lose an effective weapon to use in […]
Posted inGeneral
‘Unveiling’ the sins of black editors
At the risk of sounding like a wounded old journalist, let me share a story about the forgotten hero of South African journalism, one Percy Tseliso Qoboza. I, like most aspiring journalists in the 1970s and 1980s, have looked up to him as an icon and inspirational figure. In addition, he was a charismatic figure […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Icasa must rule on Snuki despite his departure
The abuse, for political gain, of state institutions has claimed yet another victim, but this time it is someone whose departure few will mourn — Snuki Zikalala. Zikalala’s television news obituary, on the SABC’s 7pm news bulletin on April 28, was ignominiously short — a few sentences announcing that his contract would not be renewed […]
Posted inTech
It’s the end of the world as we know it
We may not have reached the point where the normally trustworthy laptop politely, but firmly says: “I’m sorry, Llewellyn, but I cannot allow that.” Yet! But the glorious imbroglio that has crashed down around the great Time magazine with the publication of its hitherto supposedly authoritative “100 Most Influential People in the World” for 2009 […]
Posted inNews/Politics
W Cape: Zille’s chance to show the other provinces how it’s done?
As we start the build up to the inauguration of Jacob Zuma as our national president as well as the ANC’s appointment of eight premiers for the provinces other than the Western Cape, one thing is already becoming crystal clear; Helen Zille is not going to be allowing the grass to grow under her feet. […]
Posted inGeneral
The pitfalls of pursuing ideals based on party loyalty
Bertrand Russell in his treatise, Political Ideals (1917), expounded that: “In dark days, men need a clear faith and a well-grounded hope, and as the outcome of these, the calm courage which takes no account of hardships by the way. The times through which we are passing have afforded to many of us a confirmation […]
Posted inGeneral
ANC wins … and KAPOW! Wolverine destroys army helicopter
Kabamm! The armoured truck does a roughly 270 degree belly flop, hurling Wolverine into the air towards the military helicopter that’s trying to gun him down. Snikt! His newly minted adamantium claws (he only gets the “virtually indestructible” metal version halfway through the movie) flash in the sunlight as he sails through the air and […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The ANC had better keep on winning
Only two parties can really look back on the 2009 elections with any real satisfaction. The ANC, while shedding a few percentage points for the first time since 1994 and dropping slightly below the 2/3rds threshold, did an impressive job of damage control, largely offsetting the Cope breakaway. As for the DA, it now enjoys […]
Posted inGeneral
Are you ‘sensible’ or ‘formerly sensible’ about Zuma?
So the Zuma Tsunami was really unstoppable after all. This is the greatest news ever. Or a national tragedy of calamitous proportions. Jacob Zuma is one of those individuals who always seem to bring it out in everyone. The passion, I mean. I have yet to meet an individual who shrugged and went, “Zuma? I […]
Posted inLifestyle
When people used to like me
I remember a time when people used to like me. Those were the days. Conventional wisdom dictates that the older we grow, the wiser we become. I don’t know any more. I hope you don’t dispute the fact that being liked by people is significantly better than being despised. At no other prior stage in […]
Posted inGeneral
To Prosecute or Not: Jacob Zuma and Circumventing the South African Court System
Whatever your views on Jacob Zuma, who is now certain to become South Africa’s next President, the recent decision by the NPA to bring an end to his prosecution on corruption charges is extraordinary from a legal perspective. Without obtaining a court ruling that continuation of proceedings would amount to an abuse of process, the […]