One of the major differences between the South African and British criminal justice systems is the absence of a jury. In South Africa there is no option, as accused are tried before either a magistrate or a judge. Sometimes, in matters such as murder they may sit with assessors, but that is part of the […]
2010
Posted inGeneral
Let’s talk about JC…
2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Jan Christiaan Smuts, the JC I was referring to in the title. So far this event seems to have passed by with little interest in the South African media and society. For me Jan Smuts represents a number of things, but if I were to sum […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Do we have the right to die?
One of the major disappointments of the Brett Kebble murder trial was the fact that in granting Glenn Agliotti a section 174 discharge at the close of the state’s case we were unable to see whether Lawrence Hodes SC was going to raise the issue of assisted suicide during the defence. As many will recall […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Ways of coping in South Africa
There are certain books I don’t read on principle. Either it’s because what I think is between their covers is so much bullshit — The Secret and anything by Dan Brown fit in here — or because I imagine that the experience of reading it will, for whatever reason, be just too painful. Anything by […]
Posted inLifestyle
‘A big noise about nothing’
By Roger Diamond When people refuse to look beyond their own noses, or the jumping stallion on their sports car, they can contradict whatever you say about the state of the world. Why is this a problem? Because the rich and powerful, who sit behind the closed glass doors of a boardroom or the windscreen […]
Posted inGeneral
Haye to fight Klitschko brothers…at the same time
Just days after announcing that he had offered a 50/50 split to reigning WBO, IBF and IBO (Alphabet Soup) champion Wladimir Klitschko, WBA champion David Haye has backtracked once more. Klitschko, already incensed that Haye had “bitched out” on two fights with the Klitschko brothers (his older brother Vitali is WBC champion) he now has […]
Posted inGeneral
2010: A year to forget for Boks
2010 will in South Africa be known as the year of Ayoba! (The marketing person who latched on to that one should either be stoned or applauded.) The Soccer World Cup came to the shores of the Republic, and for once, the country didn’t descend into its usual cynicism to host a tournament that was […]
Posted inBusiness
Dear Telkom, continued
By Danny Glenwright Well old buddy, here we are again. I was sort of hoping the last discussion would be our final heart-to-heart. Sadly, you’ve let me down again. And again, and again. I must say you’ve outdone yourself this time. Just when I thought your service could get no worse, it has become shockingly […]
Posted inGeneral
E-business evolves
The e-business provider arena has grown into an enormous, complex industry with numerous specialist areas in the last 10 years. And yet providers continue to claim one-stop shop status and fail to carve out clear niches. As a result many top-flight projects stutter and fail as teams are forced to hire more help and members […]
Posted inGeneral
What is genetic modification, really?
By Steven Hussey If you think you’ve managed to stay clean of them GMOs (genetically modified organisms) by going “organic”, chances are you’ve unknowingly been eating them or wearing them. But don’t worry. After more than three decades of experimentation there’s still no convincing evidence that GMOs are harmful. It’s the paranoia of groups like […]
Posted inGeneral
Sachin Tendulkar, cricket’s truest religion
The first Test between South Africa and India has from Graeme Smith’s perspective gone rather nicely. His opening pair bowled like they were blood thirsty with even Morne Morkel, not usually the most aggressive of chaps, keen to play some chin music for the batsmen … at high pace. His batsmen then, himself included, went […]
Posted inGeneral
Time magazine goes PC and chooses Zuckerberg over Assange
Time magazine’s Person of the Year award profiles a person, couple, group, idea, place, or machine that “for better or for worse … has done the most to influence the events of the year”. Well, that’s the official line, at least. So why then in a year where Julian Assange made us all sit up […]