Despite the promises made in the last State of the Nation address, the giant funds set up, the economic growth path outlined, the Obama-like bailouts and incentives to certain industries, it’s not about to rain jobs. It is the fourth month of the year and the job opportunities created remain invisible. South Africa has, admittedly, […]
2011
Posted inGeneral
Some lessons for ecological sustainability
Last night I was privileged to listen to naturalist and film-maker David Attenborough (famous brother of the equally famous Richard Attenborough) who is visiting South Africa. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of (natural) Science at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Sir David, who drew sufficient people to fill five venues, in four […]
Posted inBusiness, Media
Why Jozi’s hipsters are good for the economy
This past weekend I took a rather cynical friend of mine to the Market on Main, luring him along with the promise of plenty of hipsters to serve as the objects of his withering scorn. In the end, while there were plenty of bourgeois bohemians or bobos around, I was somewhat disappointed by the absence […]
Posted inGeneral
Thoughts on a colleague’s murder
Just using the word “colleague” when referring to Lucky Dlamini comes across now as presumptuous, even hypocritical. When he was alive, he was just the taciturn cleaning staff member who came in once a day to empty my rubbish bin. I barely did more than grunt my perfunctory thanks, half-annoyed at being interrupted. Lucky was […]
Posted inGeneral
The secret is simplicity
Everybody knows total cost of ownership goes much further than the upfront capital cost of a system, whether a unified communications system or otherwise. What most people don’t see is the golden thread of simplicity that runs through low total cost of ownership (TCO) systems. It is apparent in all the elements of TCO and […]
Posted inEquality, Lifestyle
Gendercide
If you could, would you choose the sex of your unborn child? I was browsing my Blackberry App world on Sunday and found a scary little app. Some might think it’s cute, or useful or even a great thing to pass on. The app in question is called “Gender Predictor” and its message says: “This […]
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle, Media, News/Politics
Another day in the shattered dream that is SA
Driving back from an appointment at the state-run Helen Joseph Hospital — how she would cringe at the “place of weeping” that bears her name and which most people call the Hell & Joseph — I see the massive traffic jam snaking back a kilometre down Hendrik Potgieter Road in Roodepoort. The words of a […]
Posted inLifestyle, Media
Has the internet sidetracked us from greatness?
Yesterday we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space. Yesterday we celebrated the bravery of one man and the heroic effort of many to launch him into space. Our first step on the path to becoming intergalactic beings. But that was yesterday, and today is today. And in the cold harsh light […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Artists are entrepreneurs
There is great promise for the creative industries now that a platform has been created for the media, practitioners, public and government to discuss the role of the arts in the economy. Obviously, this is a long-overdue development but no one can deny that the national consultative conference on the role of the arts in […]
Posted inGeneral
How I learned to stop worrying and love my isms
By Aragorn Eloff When I visit a restaurant my opening line to the waiter is usually: “Hi, I’m vegan. What do you suggest?” What I really mean when I say this is: “Hi, I was just wondering … I don’t eat meat and I don’t want anything with butter in it. Also, no milk or […]
Posted inLifestyle
Short drive to Voortrekker Road
It all started so innocently. Just another brilliant autumn day, not too hot, not too cold, and I was spending the day with my family. We were in Oudtshoorn for the week, where I had a few shows at the KKNK. We were going to watch a play, then hang around the flea market, maybe […]
Posted inLifestyle
To blank or not to blank?
Ah, the mutual blank. Along with the uncomfortable half-hug, blanking is one of my favourite forms of social awkwardness. This non-greeting, which occurs when two people either pretend they haven’t seen one another, or simply don’t acknowledge the other’s presence, is an essential weapon in one’s interpersonal communication arsenal. You never know when you might […]