Submitted by Marius Redelinghuys Not only has thinking the unthinkable become more apparent, but touching those formerly considered untouchable seems ever more likely, as an examination of the virtues, vices and future of the “Shikota” movement illustrates. Shikota appears to pose a significant challenge to the electoral dominance of the ANC, especially as support for […]
Reader Blog
On our Reader Blog, we invite Thought Leader readers to submit one-off contributions to share their opinions on politics, news, sport, business, technology, the arts or any other field of interest.
If you'd like to contribute, first read our guidelines for submitting material to this blog.
Posted inGeneral
Driving me mad
Driving me mad Submitted by Charlotte Malgas Every time I start thinking my family should remain in South Africa, I just have to go down the main road. Coming from the United Kingdom — where taxi drivers do not shoot rivals and passengers over “who” a public highway belongs to, as they did in Durban […]
Posted inGeneral
What happens to Pikoli?
Submitted by Loammi Wolf With the resignation of president Thabo Mbeki from office, the following questions arise: What is going to happen to the suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Vusi Pikoli? Has Dr Frene Ginwala completed her report? Was it already handed over to the former president? What are the legal consequences of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Thinking the unthinkable: Beyond the ANC
Submitted by Marius Redelinghuys For many, including myself, it is very difficult to imagine any other political home outside or beyond the African National Congress. This is particularly difficult to imagine as the ruling party has often been seen as the “natural party” of the people as it fought against the oppressive and exclusive apartheid […]
Posted inGeneral
The Springbok emblem controversy
Submitted by Patric Tariq Mellet It seems that there is a poor understanding of the history of the anti-apartheid struggle when it comes to the Springbok brand. It is the one brand of which all national groups may well be proud. Butana Komphela has asked for any evidence that evidence exists in history for such […]
Posted inGeneral
Perestroika, SA style
After eight years of the theatre of the absurd ordinary South Africans generally welcomed Kgalema Motlanthe’s address to the nation as a breath of sanity. After the denialism, delusions and paranoia of the Mbeki era, simple commonsense and goodwill has rarely sounded so good. But while we count our blessings, a note of caution should […]
Posted inMedia
Why, Zapiro?
An open letter to Zapiro from Sandisiwe Vilakazi Why, Zapiro? During any kind of disaster there is always room for criminal elements to take hold. Looting during floods, xenophobic attacks and marches is a common enough occurrence. So it is with malicious intent during times of change. South Africa is going through trying times and […]
Posted inGeneral
Free speech and African homophobia
Submitted by Troy Thiel The recent homophobic writings of Jon Qwelane and the subsequent LGBT community reaction have highlighted many questions about where the borders of free speech lie and journalists’ responsibility regarding the effect of their words. With visible examples of hate crimes, this is an emotionally charged subject. Respectfully, I would, however, like […]
Posted inGeneral
A young white Afrikaner on reconciliation and transformation
Submitted by Marius Redelinghuys During the first session of the South African Association of Political Studies annual conference at Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre, Dr Sally Matthews (Rhodes University) touched on the subject of Reconciliation and the Acknowledgement of White Privilege in South Africa: A Discussion of the Home for All Campaign. She sought to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Understanding a murderer’s motive
Submitted by Pete Farlam I read three reports on murders recently, which made for disturbing but also compelling reading. It’s a bit like not being able to take your eyes off a car wreck: I know I shouldn’t really look and that it will haunt me, but I’m also intrigued as to the extent of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Would the real Jacob Zuma please stand up?
Submitted by Carl Wesselink Dear Mr Zuma As an ANC voter and with the elections around the corner, there are a number of issues that are perplexing to me and to those of us who still think about political affairs and try to follow the facts. For the record, most of our friends, colleagues and […]
Posted inGeneral
Leading thoughts needed on Aids
Submitted by Muhammad Chohon I signed 12 death certificates this week in one ward at a public hospital in Johannesburg. All 12 of these unfortunate souls died directly from Aids. On average, at my hospital, 200 to 300 patients die monthly from Aids. The average age of these people is 30. Sixty-five percent are women. […]