And we’re off. I’m sitting at OR Tambo airport, having a farewell Castle Draught before embarking on a mind-numbing, Stillnox induced flight to Atlanta and then Austin. Bumped into Mike Stopforth. He was having lamb shank. Something I don’t know? So here’s the deal for SXSW (follow the #sxswSA tag on Twitter). I’m going to […]
2010
Posted inGeneral
The unbearable lightness of being Bakkies Botha
“No, we haven’t seen any lions yet.” The lady from the BBC radio station sat across from me in our lounge, fidgeting with her recording equipment. Her face was serious; perhaps she had not realised I was only joking? They had driven from Cape Town to Somerset West that morning, she and her lady friend, […]
Posted inGeneral
ANC’s never in short supply of shady characters
The ANC’s never in short supply of shady characters in senior positions, whether in government or its party structures. One would be forgiven for thinking that the criteria for a senior leadership position at the moment is having a tainted integrity, character and morality — a criminal record or criminal charges would be preferred. Not […]
Posted inGeneral
Gordhan: Trudging along well-worn tracks
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced a “new growth path” for the South African economy — one that would signify a “turn-around” and “achieve the kind of transformation required to draw the millions of unemployed into the economy”. The finance minister envisaged the current budget to be “labour-absorbing”, “to raise employment of young school-leavers by … […]
Posted inNews/Politics
SA artists will always enjoy freedom of expression
Creativity — be it writing, painting, film-making, acting, singing or dancing — is a frighteningly powerful tool. It is for this reason that artists are able to define and change reality. There are a lot of people who witness and experience life but have no clue about the meaning or impact of that reality. Usually, […]
Posted inNews/Politics
If killing the boers is OK, how about blacks, women and gays?
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu has defended Julius Malema’s lusty renditions of the infamous “kill the boers, they are rapists” song, arguing (according to this Sapa article) that the “the lyrics of the song had been quoted out of context”. “This song was sung for many years even before Malema was born. Julius doesn’t even know […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The Juju joyride…
All the provincial leadership structures of the ANC Youth League have been reported to stand behind their besieged president, Julius Malema. They believe their man is under attack from unscrupulous characters who are involved in clandestine power struggles to determine who will lead the ANC in 2012 when it holds its next big elections. It […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mandela: Whites must take up his struggle
Truth be told, black people are not interested in the confessions of white people who suffer guilt from the sins of colonialism and apartheid or those who accused Nelson Mandela of selling out. In the 21st century where both colonialism and apartheid have — depending on how you look at things — been defeated, we […]
Posted inGeneral
Stoichkov is turning Sundowns around
By Sphiwe Hlongane Mamelodi Sundowns have once again stumbled at the final hurdle of the Absa Premiership, but there are some positives to be taken frm their showing in this past season. The arrival of world renowned Hristo Stoichkove, and the signing of a few quality players proved to be the spark the Brazilians were […]
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Saru ain’t broke. Why fix it?
So the nominations are in and the fierce lobbying, counter lobbying and electioneering starts. This elections, while not necessarily being the most crucial in the history of the organisation (in its many incarnations) will give us a view of just how much it has matured from the politics and cronyism riddled mess it was up […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mandela or Madiba, which one do you want?
In history there is the truth and then there is the story. And rarely are they the same thing. But does the truth really matter? Does it matter that this man or that man was fallible? That he made loads of mistakes and was always scared. Or that he went to his grave pissing and […]
Posted inNews/Politics
ANC’s placating Malema at its own peril
President Jacob Zuma is going to have to draw a line in the sand and decide where loyalty ends and common sense begins in his, as well as the African National Congress’s, approach to the ANCYL and its president, Julius Malema. After yesterday’s racist tirade at the University of Johannesburg the ANC has yet to […]