“I have never cared very much for personal prizes. A man does not become a freedom fighter in the hope of winning awards, but when I was notified that I had won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Mr de Klerk, I was deeply moved.” This is how Nelson Mandela responded when asked about […]
2011
Posted inGeneral
Getting more crop per drop
Increasing demand for water continues to put a strain on available water sources, threatening the livelihood of millions of small-scale farmers who depend on water for their crops. At a time when one in eight people lack access to safe water, Nourishing the Planet points to low-cost, small-scale innovations to better manage this vital resource. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Tasting metal: The Johnson & Johnson patent
By Ayesha Jacub I sat on the edge of the bathtub heaving. Every organ system in my body felt as though it was being pummelled … and then some. I had a constant metallic taste in my mouth. And these drugs were supposed to be helping me? In 2009 I was on my second course […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Moonlighting murderers
I work at a major Gauteng public hospital. During the course of the last three days, I have had the misfortune of witnessing two young adult patients suffer preventable deaths. Many South Africans will easily explain away these deaths with predictable explanations such as collapsing infrastructure, shoddy equipment, long waiting times and poor nursing care. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
A better life for who?
By Thabang Motsohi When I learnt that the police officers involved in the brutal and revolting killing of Andries Tatane in Ficksburg had been arrested by the Independent Complaints Directorate, I felt conflicting emotions. At one level I was relieved and encouraged that our nascent democratic institutions were fearlessly proving the value and role that […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Africa paying heavily for SA’s bad choices
By Cedrick Ngalande A couple of weeks ago we saw French troops capture and hand over the embattled Laurent Gbagbo to the Ivorian government. For several months Gbagbo had refused to hand over power to the UN-recognised winner of the presidential elections. This stand-off resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. In North […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Lekota: An unwelcome prophet
It is apparently improper to comment on South African politics without invoking God or religion more broadly. Last night a caller to 702 alleged that Mosiuoa Lekota had left the ANC because he had lost power and that his criticism of the ruling party only surfaced after the now (in)famous divorce. I was reminded of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Obama and Gaddafi: An irreverent comparison
“All my people love me. They would die to protect me,” said Libya leader Muammar Gaddafi towards the end of February 2011 in the midst of massive protests against his 42-year rule. Did he understand what he was saying? Did he really mean what he was saying, or was he (once again) playing the fool […]
Posted inGeneral
Unified communications on the go
It took the creative genius of an Apple to fulfil the prophecy, but the age of mobility is finally here, and it shows no signs of letting up on innovative surprises or promoting widespread addictive behaviour. First, the iPhone rekindled the smartphone concept, brushing aside Symbian and to a lesser degree BlackBerry, and spawning formidable […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Oh leader, my leader…who will it be?
By Athambile Masola I have been following Julius Malema’s trial with half an ear. Much ink has been spilled and printed about the ANC Youth League leader and it seems almost useless to be writing about him at this stage of his leadership of the youth league. The great “Juju”, has never been without a […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Could ‘Shoot the Boer’ trial bring SA back together?
Readers who have followed my writings for a while will have picked up some of my history. I pretty much did not have, for various reasons, including deaths, any real family until I met Marion some eight years ago. For the most part I did not mind; I had a good circle of friends and […]
Posted inGeneral
A nation divided against itself cannot stand
Since the dawn of democracy, I have met, shaken hands and embraced many people who respond to my greeting with the refrain: “Why complain? Nobody listens.” It’s an expression of frustration towards their leaders in political organisations, companies, churches and government. This expression is not only about disappointment, but also borders on cynicism. They feel […]