Submitted by Niki Moore Taking a broad snapshot of South Africa at the moment, there are many government policies or attitudes that appear wrong and short-sighted. Yet, when these are criticised by a (white) person, the response usually is that the criticiser is being racist. And the invariable response to that is: “You must stop […]
2009
Posted inGeneral
Buffering the economic meltdown using web 2.0
Submitted by Kate Elphick Even the most removed business from the global market is starting to feel the bite of the global economic meltdown. This year is going to be a challenging year for many South African businesses. Most companies are looking at what they can do to make the best of the current economic […]
Posted inGeneral
Crime and punishment in the new South Africa: Loaded minds
Loaded Minds is a concept expressed by a band, Spirit of the West, about the increasing violent responses and calls for violence that has ingrained violence as a viable response. It is the same thinking that claims that it is acceptable that the cost of peace is war. The crime and especially the violence that […]
Posted inGeneral
Holding out for the JZ that the dancing, swooning people see
I’m driving through Constantia past impenetrable electrified fences, marvelling at the way some people live and reminding myself that it’s all relative. And there’s an ANC election poster, hanging disconsolately on a tree with enough wood for four shacks. Yeah, right. LOTS of votes coming their way from all these left-leaning Constantia folk. These houses […]
Posted inGeneral
The ANC looks like it’s heading for a handsome victory at the polls. Is this a good thing for the country?
This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: The ANC looks like it’s heading for a handsome victory at the polls. Is this a good thing for the country?
Posted inLifestyle
Egoli or Isidingo ate your baby?
Since I’ve been confined to quarters with a strictly no-politics-until-the-operation policy, I’ve been forced – trust me – to watch all the television programmes that the government (Mrs Traps) feels are appropriate at this time. As some of my regulars may recall this is the same woman that force-fed me Big Brother Africa III, Idols […]
Posted inGeneral
Getting to grips with a thick-headed reality
As the election draws near I am reminded of a throw-away scene in a frivolous little movie called Confetti, a mockumentary about a wedding competition. You may have seen the movie (it’s re-running on DStv at the moment). It’s a pathetic little bedroom scene where that most desperate-to-win tennis player turns to his paranoid partner […]
Posted inMedia
MTN. The dog ate my homework
(Disclaimer: Excuse the language in this blog. I’m posting it from an internet café and I’m seated next to two giggly teenagers on Facebook) Apologies for going AWOL on you. I wrote my blogs as is our deal. Honest. But the dog ate my blog. Well, not that kind of dog. Let me explain. To […]
Posted inTech
Who’s the clever one then?
Submitted by Terry White I was doodling through my favourite website, Wikipedia, and I came across an article on “National IQ”. In 2006, Dr Richard Lynn and Dr Tatu Vanhanen published a book called IQ and Global Inequality. In the book they list the average IQs of 185 nations and make an argument that international […]
Posted inLifestyle
Environmentalists fuel alcoholism
Submitted by Sean Lloyd Working in the eco-industry, I constantly stress about little things environment wise. Are my friends recycling? Are they using organic body-care products? Are their products local, and not imported? I wonder if that salad is organic? Do they even care? All these questions were piling up in my head late last […]
Posted inGeneral
South Africans (Re)classified
Submitted by Prisha Bhoola I’ve decided to brush up on my Afrikaans — to impress Jacob Zuma. Now that Afrikaners are “in” — it makes sense. Ja dis waar, as Oom Eugene has been saying all along. Afrikaners, with their single passports are the only true South Africans! My sister studied her entire medical degree […]
Posted inNews/Politics
An insulted voter speaks
Let me just state upfront that this piece is about and directed at the DA. So if you find yourself thinking “for someone disappointed in the DA, he sure mentions them a lot”, worry not, it IS intentional. The Democratic Alliance is currently the largest opposition party in South African politics. It has a greater […]