South African politicians aren’t sexy, yet I am slightly disturbed by utterances from some politico circles that politics should be sexy. Sure, it makes sense: sex sells. But considering our socio-economic climate, it appears as if South Africans just aren’t buying. No individual politician from the crop of leaders the 2009 elections produced — in […]
2010
Posted inNews/Politics
Caught in a web of idiocy
‘Just murmur ‘Thank God for Darwin,’ as another wide-eyed innocent provides banking details to a crime syndicate or chooses carrot juice above chemotherapy.’
Posted inGeneral
The head or the heart?
By Candice Holdsworth A female protestor wishes to make it perfectly clear: “This isn’t a political issue it’s a sensitivity issue.” A sentiment shared with the multitudes marching alongside her on the streets of New York, united in their vehement opposition to the building of a mosque in lower Manhattan, two blocks from Ground Zero. […]
Posted inGeneral
SA News? Best thriller read on the planet, but…
I love following SA news. The kiwi stuff is lukewarm potty water compared to the fiery mampoer of the SA film scripts that get dished out every week. Yes, they’re potential film scripts: from the shenanigans of Julius Seizure to the recent, apparent uncovering of the first democratic election in 1994 being rigged in places […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Getting closer: ANCYL and Twitter
The ANC Youth League is going to call for the closure of Twitter. Or, the “closer”, as it is written in their press release, but let’s not get too hung up on spelling. They are, after all, very upset, so a few errors are bound to creep in. Why? Because a few rogue internet users, […]
Posted inMedia
Creative cop-out or truly South African?
Ayoba, Yebo, Hosh, Woza, Viva, Waka Waka etc. There are a couple of them. “Africanisms” I think they are called. Most notably used by our over-priced cellular providers We see these all around us. Billboards, TV, print, and dare we say, now even in everyday language use. These terms are made famous, and I’m not […]
Posted inGeneral
Remembering my grandfather
My grandfather was a remarkable man. Although his life was far from easy at times, he in every sense was the personification of humanity, dignity, strength, loyalty, generosity and honesty. He was always there to help someone out, even strangers. He was free of prejudice. He never judged a book by its cover. He travelled […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Cabinet reshuffle lets the baddies win, while we all watch
The latest cabinet reshuffle is interesting to be polite. Someone might say that I should be grateful for the disastrous governmental leadership shown at the moment, because it means that I will always have a job. In a country with the highest rape rate in the world (of countries not at war) a job in […]
Posted inNews/Politics
When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers
By Danielle Nierenberg and Abby Massey “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers,” says Gertrude Hambira, Secretary General of the General Agriculture Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), describing the state of her country since elections two years ago. The elephants in this case are Zimbabwe’s two leaders, Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, […]
Posted inLifestyle, Sport
Charlie Sheen and Herschelle Gibbs walk into a bar
One is fresh from a two-hour book signing and the other just shagged three hookers senseless. Both need a drink. Barry Hilton is behind the bar. Gives them one look and pours five tequilas. When you’re Charlie Sheen and Herschelle Gibbs you don’t fuck around. When you’re Barry Hilton watching Charlie Sheen and Herschelle Gibbs […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Cabinet shake-up should scare civil servants
One of the most difficult things to do in the public service is to fire non-performers. In fact it seems to me the law, the Labour Relations Act and related legislation are designed to make it near impossible to fire people who do not perform. It was therefore truly heartening to see President Jacob Zuma […]
Posted inGeneral
Cuban market reforms signal the death of communism
As the global economy slowly emerges from the rubble of the devastating 2008 financial crisis, developed and developing economies are beginning to review their macro-economic policies in a collective attempt to spur sustainable global economic growth and avert a similar crisis. The US has been largely to blame for initiating a crisis that caused global […]