Since the debate about the (re)launch of the Forum of Black Journalists (FBJ) refuses to die and since it will be given new life on Wednesday at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), I thought I would add my own little bit of noise into the cacophony that already exists. No doubt the SAHRC […]
Na'eem Jeenah
Na'eem Jeenah is the executive director of the Afro-Middle East Centre, a research institute focusing on the Middle East North Africa region. His latest publication (as co-editor) is 'The PLO: Critical appraisals from the inside'. His other publications include: 'Pretending democracy: Israel, an ethnocratic state' (editor), and 'Journey of discovery: A South African Hajj' (with Shamima Shaikh).
Posted inGeneral
Martyrs and reconciliation
Just over 14 years ago, at 5am on Monday January 17 1994, my mother was rudely woken by loud banging on the door of her tiny one-bedroom flat. She got out of bed, opened the door and was shoved aside as four policemen with R1 rifles stormed in and ransacked her home without giving her […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Lash those name-givers!
A few years ago, at a conference in the Middle East, I met a man called Mustapha (which is another name for the Prophet Muhammad). Interesting guy, Mustapha. Passionate about social justice issues, outspoken against Islamophobia, strident critic of Israeli occupation, a strong believer in equal rights. But … someone needs to take Mustapha’s parents […]
Posted inNews/Politics
On cacti and keys; memory and forgetfulness
Once upon a time, in the northern part of a land known as Palestine, there existed a village called Lubya. The village of Lubya is well-known among the people of that land as the hometown of one Abu Bakr al-Lubyani. Al-Lubayni was a prominent Muslim scholar of the 15th century who taught Islamic religious sciences […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Independent Newspapers censors, withdraws and censors again
Today, Business Report, which is inserted in a number of Independent Newspapers daily publications across the country, carries a censored advert on its back page from the End Occupation Campaign (EOC). The ad was censored by the newspaper company. The EOC — a coalition of Palestine solidarity groups, faith-based organisations such as the South African […]
Posted inNews/Politics, Sport
From a bitter, twisted person: my blood remains red; I could care less about the Boks
Days ago, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be bombarded with rugby news until, at least, the end of next week. That’s fine. I suppose our national rugby team getting into (and possibly winning) the World Cup final is a big deal. To each her own. It’s not my […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Free expression means nothing if it’s limited to the media
Steven Friedman wrote a brilliant post, “The people our national debate does not see or hear”. I began writing a comment in response to his post, but then realised it was too long and needed a post of its own. Steven is absolutely correct. Too many of us who are involved in the media in […]
Posted inGeneral
Let those street signs be praised!
(I swear I was composing this in my head before I read Matthew Buckland’s post “Name changes: ‘Cost argument’ is nonsense”.) I was driving home from Pretoria (sorry, Tshwane) last night, just before midnight. I followed the N1 south after Midrand, took the overpass that curves frighteningly (when it’s around midnight and you want to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Tutu banned, unbanned
So the University of St Thomas has decided to withdraw its withdrawal of the invitation to Archbishop Desmond Tutu to speak at that esteemed institution. For people who have not been following the story, Tutu was to be hosted on the campus by the justice and peace studies programme, together with an organisation called PeaceJam […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Dear Robert Macdonald (and your boss) …
Robert Macdonald Spokesperson for the mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille Dear Mr Macdonald I have taken note of your comment posted to my open letter to mayor Helen Zille. Thank you. I felt that, rather than replying via a comment, I should give you the honour of a fuller reply in the form of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Condi apologises; will Iraqis expel mercenaries?
Condoleezza Rice has “apologised” for the civilians killed by the American mercenary force known as Blackwater USA. She was trying to prevent the expulsion of all the Blackwater employees from Iraq, as has already been ordered by the Iraqi Interior Ministry. The Iraqi government decision followed an incident two days ago when Blackwater operatives — […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Dear Helen Zille …
An open letter to the Mayor of Cape Town Dear Mayor Zille It is completely unacceptable that you were treated in such an unbecoming way by police on Sunday when you participated in the anti-drug march in Cape Town, the city where you are mayor. While I don’t necessarily agree with the ANC’s Smuts Ngonyama […]