Bulls Established Fourie du Preez. The IRB brainfart notwithstanding, he was indisputably head, shoulders and socks above every other player in the world last year. The question this year will be whether he can maintain that level of performance and even more crucially, what that will mean for his fitness and motivation levels heading into […]
2010
Posted inLifestyle
Vegetarians cause me grief
As I type this, it’s late Saturday afternoon, and my hands are shaking deliriously, my eyes have shrunk to the back of my head, my gums have gone all mushy, my teeth are falling out, my bones are like butter and I’m pretty sure the dull thudding sound in my ears isn’t normal. I had […]
Posted inGeneral
The ecopolitics of Avatar
James Cameron’s latest film, Avatar, is, as far as I can judge, a highly significant film, at least as important as the first two Terminator films (and in a related sense, Titanic) directed by him. It has been criticised in various quarters as just another maudlin love story (it recalls the story of Pocahontas, among […]
Posted inNews/Politics
What is it about Africa and gay people?
Why is it that gay people are so hated on this continent? What makes people in Africa want to murder, imprison or beat up on them? And before you start telling me it is a tribal thing, a black thing or a whatever thing, I can tell you a lot of white Africans don’t like […]
Posted inNews/Politics
What will it take to get us talking?
Maybe rising to the challenge would be a good start. Sociologists agree that few facets of the human experience so effectively transcend divisions to unite people as being able to communicate with each other effectively. To do this, a shared “language” is indispensable. Whether it be the spoken word, signing for deaf people, semaphore or […]
Posted inGeneral
The boy who refused to die
It has been difficult in Haiti. Decomposing bodies still buried beneath the rubble and the stench that comes with that; survivors searching for bodies of their next of kin; the hungry and destitute turning to looting and violence; relief agencies in sixes and sevens; the army and police doing their best to control and calm […]
Posted inGeneral
When I am president
I often dream of running my own banana republic. Nothing too big. I am not a greedy man. Something about the size of KwaZulu-Natal. In fact, KZN would be perfect. It’s got the bananas and is sufficiently balmy to keep the populace in that happy stupor that will prevent any thought of an uprising. The […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Coping beyond mere personalities
Just as I was drafting the final instalment of my reflections on the state of the Congress of the People (Cope) one year after its much celebrated launch, the party took the wind from under my sails. Luckily I was not the only one, as the party simultaneously dealt a blow to its Youth Movement […]
Posted inGeneral
How serious is the ANC on crime?
The South African public are inundated by calls for crimes to be overlooked, forgiven or — in some cases — not to be considered crimes at all. Unsurprisingly, the vast mast majority of these emanate from those at the very heart of power in this country. The number of judges, correctional services officials, politicians and […]
Posted inNews/Politics
A humble appeal for peace and national unity
I understand that the people of South Africa, having been denied their God-given rights to be free for more than 400 years, are anxious for the achievement of our aspirations for human development and recognition as people of integrity and capabilities both of which are things that have been denied and ignored by our erstwhile […]
Posted inNews/Politics
e.tv should start shopping for some anti-slash vests
There are many reasons for the overseas media’s palpitations, bordering on hysteria, about the supposed dangers of travelling to SA. Interwoven are aspects of parochialism, ignorance and racism.
Posted inGeneral
Togo bus ambush has SA parallels
The police have gunned down three suspects believed to have been involved in the Christmas Day massacre of Inanda FM presenter Ntombikayise Ngwane (24) and her friends. In the early hours of Friday morning, possibly acting upon information obtained from the suspect who was arrested on December 31 at a house in Eshowe, where he […]