Posted inBusiness

Y the future …

My speech at the inauguration of the new Yfm building in Hyde Park on Friday, 19 February 2010 Friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen I was in Parliament last week sitting in the National Assembly for the State of the Nation address. Our president arrived, the national anthem began to play, and I stood up and […]

Posted inGeneral

Lamenting the loss of innocence

If you knew that a rose would scream, would you still pluck it? Child abuse is one of my psychological buttons. I suppose my reaction to someone who is accused of doing any such thing is along the lines of religiously crazed Iranians when told that Salman Rushdie has committed blasphemy. My gut reaction is […]

Posted inNews/Politics

State of the Nation Haiku

National Assembly An expanse of cleavage Crowned by botox Ambassadors Burnooses in the rain How ridiculous Sarel Cilliers Recited by Mattera Boers applaud uneasily Awaiting the chief The opposition Sits leaderless Amidst the poetry A cacophony of crassness From the media benches Heckles for Helen But a standing ovation For the Judiciary All rise for […]

Posted inLifestyle

Hitler’s legacy … sh!t happens

There’s a virtual ring that runs around Vienna’s inner city reflecting where the Austrian empire’s rulers once held sway and where Hitler arrived to a tumultuous welcome from some 250 000 Austrians about 70 years ago. In relative terms, that was almost yesterday. Today, there is an art exhibition in the city called Restitution reflecting […]

Posted inTech

A man who helped me dream

“Having done several thousand interviews in all media, I’m now completely fed up with talking (even about myself). Everything anyone needs to know will be found in my own writings … ” February 8 1999 It’s a sweltering day in what is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the known universe. Three-wheeled taxis […]