Great leaders leave for later generations the task of imitation and identify themselves through constant response to the rhythms of changing circumstances; they turn the inchoate emotions of the mob to the purpose of their own; they seize on the opportunities of their time, the confiding hopes, fears, frustrations, crises and potentialities; and they succeed […]
Sentletse Diakanyo
Sentletse Diakanyo's blogs may contain views on any subject which may upset sensitive readers. Parental guidance is strongly advised.
Posted inBusiness
Is big business pursuing transformation half-heartedly?
In late 2003, the then Sasol CEO Pieter Cox made a serious error of judgment by citing Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) as a risk factor in a document that the company had to compile in terms of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) regulations, reporting that, “there could be risks to shareholders that value may not […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Fear the wrath of Helen Zille scorned!
In the movie Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson renders with great fervour one of the best-scripted lines in cinema history: “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity […]
Posted inLifestyle
The majesty and grandeur of Roman engineering and architecture
A dear friend of mine, whose mortal remains were confined to the common mother of all, was a promising and talented architect (RIP). Through him I developed a deep fascination with and appreciation of ancient architecture and engineering. From the Great Wall of China, built by Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, to the Pantheon built during […]
Posted inMedia
The Sunday Times has lost all its credibility
On Sunday August 24, the Sunday Times ran a headline story titled “Transnet sold our sea to foreigners”, which reported as fact that Transnet had sold “our sea to foreigners”, referring to the 90 square kilometres of sea and the 22km of coastline stretching from Table bay to Robben Island. Transnet refuted these claims as […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Reasons for doing business with Hugo Chávez
South Africa has strengthened its political and economic ties with the United States (US)’s nemesis in Latin America, Venezuela, by signing bilateral trade and oil exploration agreements. The policy maintained by South Africa has always been that your enemies are not necessarily my enemies. Former President Nelson Mandela made it unequivocally clear that South Africa’s […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Cosatu’s devious incitement of anarchy and carnage
“This very weekend, I received urgent warnings that the ANC has decided to abduct two of my children and to kill them … it was a serious warning, urgently given … I don’t know the truth of it … there are certain elements in the ANC quite capable of such a thing.” Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, […]
Posted inLifestyle
Savouring the mutual pleasures of the forbidden fruit
I was sitting on the garden under the cool shade of a tree; the tree branches were dancing to the wind; birds were singing a soothing melody; dry leave were falling on my head and beside, heralding the coming of winter. I was having an appointment with myself, my troubles locked behind the madam’s bedroom. […]
Posted inBusiness
OPEC: a cartel of remorseless oil sharks
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’s supposed mission is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of member countries and ensure the stabilisation of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital to those […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Is President Mbeki conniving with business against Jacob Zuma?
Opportunism and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances are arguably some of the prime ingredients of success in business. The changing political landscape in South Africa has required some business leaders to re-evaluate their political positioning. Under the Mbeki administration, there had been accusations that those who were closely aligned to the party heavyweights, […]
Posted inGeneral
Was Moses high on drugs on top of Mount Sinai?
Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has written a very provocative article in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy. In his article the professor claims that the biblical Moses was high on drugs when he sat on top of Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments “from […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Sound monetary policy post-Mboweni under threat
Tito Mboweni, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, has indicated that he has no desire to serve beyond the two terms as chief of the bank. It is a decision that feeds conspiracy theories, especially when the end of his term almost coincides with the beginning of the new populist government of the ANC. […]