Every so often someone comes along who is so brave and so inspiring that they move you into action. These are men and women who have the power to galvanise an entire community to do something. Whenever they are around it becomes very difficult even for the self-satisfied to sit by and remain silent. In […]
Sandile Memela
Sandile Memela is a journalist, writer, cultural critic, columnist and civil servant. He lives in Midrand.
Posted inGeneral
Zuma’s promises melt in the global economic heat
A cynic was talking to me the other day about what he called “crippling the power of the delivery myth”. He was telling me that as much as President Jacob Zuma is a source of inspiration and hope, the poor and disadvantaged must resign themselves to eating the pie in the sky. He insisted that […]
Posted inGeneral
To be young, free and without a care in SA
It would seem the historical significance of June 16 is fast fading away. I am not too sure if the dawn of freedom and democracy in 1994 contributed to the prevalent negative meaning of the day that supposedly changed the course of history. I guess we all know that the attainment of freedom can make […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Ndebele saga marks a turning point
The return of a top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz by a senior cabinet minister marks an important turning point in the culture of entitlement and kickbacks in government circles. Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele’s decision will, inevitably, restore faith in the ANC leadership. It is not only a coordinate for taking an anti-corruption stance but a resounding statement that […]
Posted inGeneral
Kani’s ‘Nothing but the Truth’ on struggle heroes …
Now that the legendary actor, director and theatre producer John Kani has received an outstanding ovation for his Nothing but the Truth, I wonder what those who recommend the play say about it. I must admit that I loved its vivid portrayal of the rivalry between the former exiles and those who stayed behind. The […]
Posted inMedia
Zuma has no need for a media out of touch with his people
If one had to choose between a Zuma presidency without a media-relations unit or a media without Zuma, I would settle for the former. Whatever one may wish for, the media without Zuma is impossible. In the last seven or eight years, the media have made their profit by waging an incessant assault on Zuma’s […]
Posted inNews/Politics
One Zille does not make gender equality
It was radical Pan-Africanist activist and visionary, Malcolm X who said: to be called brother, you must act like a brother. It has to be said that newly sworn in Western Cape premier Helen Zille cannot be called … er, a woman. To be called a woman, she has to act like a woman. Or […]
Posted inGeneral
Why the South African Music Awards suck
Now that the brouhaha over the South African Music Awards (Sama) at the Sun City Superbowl has died down, we can say that they were a waste of time. In fact, songstress Lira, who was presented with four major awards — including Album of the Year — should have rejected them. But that would be […]
Posted inGeneral
Zuma is the last great South African hope
The advent of the Jacob Zuma presidency marks an important turning point in the meaning of freedom and democracy in South Africa. Whatever the know-all political experts and analysts may say, it will be the most important five years in the history of the liberation struggle, especially the ANC. This period will be characterised by […]
Posted inGeneral
‘Unveiling’ the sins of black editors
At the risk of sounding like a wounded old journalist, let me share a story about the forgotten hero of South African journalism, one Percy Tseliso Qoboza. I, like most aspiring journalists in the 1970s and 1980s, have looked up to him as an icon and inspirational figure. In addition, he was a charismatic figure […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Has Biko’s party lost its Black Power?
We have seen the evidence: it seems voters are not impressed by Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness or Robert Sobukwe’s Pan-Africanism. There is now sufficient evidence for people to form their own judgement as to whether Azapo and the PAC have the potential to become a formidable opposition to the ANC. It has already been suggested […]
Posted inGeneral
Madiba’s grandchildren will determine the future of the ANC
The duty of the young is to improve upon the past, which is, largely, a world created or messed up by their parents. What we are witnessing now is that moment when the grandchildren of Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others must make a choice in terms of the political future and leadership […]