A man cannot belong to an organisation and remain free. In fact, to be free, man must not only cease to belong to any organisation but organisations must be dissolved. This is a very complicated matter because for most people, organisations are necessary for discipline and order in society. When you think about, this explains […]
Sandile Memela
Sandile Memela is a journalist, writer, cultural critic, columnist and civil servant. He lives in Midrand.
Posted inGeneral
A nation divided against itself cannot stand
Since the dawn of democracy, I have met, shaken hands and embraced many people who respond to my greeting with the refrain: “Why complain? Nobody listens.” It’s an expression of frustration towards their leaders in political organisations, companies, churches and government. This expression is not only about disappointment, but also borders on cynicism. They feel […]
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 inNews/Politics
White South Africans aren’t free
This month South Africa celebrates the 17th anniversary of its freedom but many white people will always struggle to appreciate what that means. People who go to the mall on Freedom Day really do not know what they are missing. The thing is, whites as a group have never been really free on African soil, […]
Posted inNews/Politics
I just love the spirit of Jimmy Manyi
I do not imagine that a courageous and outspoken African man of the calibre of government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi would ever be left alone in this country. He will always be put under scrutiny and hounded until his handlers or managers drop him like a hot potato, that is, if they are not guided by […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The crisis in African, Indian and coloured unity
The realisation of a non-racial society as enshrined in the Constitution depends on blacks, that is, Africans, Indians and coloureds, first, facing certain truths about themselves. The struggle for freedom and democracy has always been premised on principled unity among these groups, including white progressives, to give a “human face” to the African first, if […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The root of the black vs coloured problem
It has not been my intention to enter the so-called debate on the state of black and coloured relations for fear of generating more heat than light. But we need to put our ghosts to rest on this matter through constructive self-criticism, honest exchange and historical grounding. Even though some of us were raised under […]
Posted inMedia
The Sowetan: Black faces, white thoughts
The story of the Sowetan newspaper, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, represents an important milestone in the struggle for self-determination, freedom of thought and expression. In fact, it punctuates the sad history of the constraints on so-called black media and its journalists to articulate the hopes and aspirations of the African majority. There […]
Posted inNews/Politics
It’s apartheid as usual for big business
At the risk of generalising, I think big business in this country has neither love nor respect for people, especially those of African descent. It does not treat them with dignity or justice. In fact, the oppression and exploitation of the majority in this country is NOT committed by the ANC government but big business. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
We have become cowards
Something in the character of South Africans is dying. Something in many of us has died and it is called courage. We have become cowards. I guess I should be speaking for myself since I have no mandate to speak for everybody, whoever that is but I insist on using the royal “we” and I […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The revolt against the ANC
Much as the majority of those who bother to vote will vote for the ANC, there is an increasing number of members, supporters and sympathisers who are increasingly “gatvol” or fed up with how it does things. In fact, some people have threatened or chosen to refrain from participating in the forthcoming local elections. But […]
Posted inNews/Politics
You can only beat the ANC if you join it
The majority of South Africans will again vote for the ANC in the forthcoming elections. It is unavoidable as it is the only party of choice for them. Of course, the minority is hopping mad that this confirms the fear that the ANC may rule until the Second Coming. But who else can the poor, […]