Most of us who still have command of our diminishing cognitive faculties will recall that fateful day in 1972 during the summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, when armed thugs belonging to a Palestinian militant group, Black September, descended upon the Olympic village that housed the Israeli team and held them hostage. This band of […]
Sentletse Diakanyo
Sentletse Diakanyo's blogs may contain views on any subject which may upset sensitive readers. Parental guidance is strongly advised.
Posted inNews/Politics
The spy who caused all trouble
There are reports that Mo Shaik may be appointed director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and as usual there are denials all round. Mo’s relationship with Jacob Zuma goes back to the days of the ANC underground when they worked together as ANC intelligence operatives. The most noted underground structure was “Operation Bible”, which […]
Posted inGeneral
Shoppers under siege
Shopping in South African malls has become a dangerous affair. Adrenalin junkies may find the prospect of being caught up in a violent armed robbery a thrilling experience; while the rest of us tremble at the mere thought of having AK47 assault rifles being shoved in your face or becoming the sad victim of a […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zuma, Motlanthe and Sexwale must step down
The Sunday Times has again resorted to sensationalist reporting — as if its Oilgate revelations were unknown to the public. The public may not know what the Donen Commission recommendations were, but it is privy to details relating to surcharges paid to Saddam Hussein’s regime contravening UN Security Council Resolution 986 and the Iraqi oil-for-food […]
Posted inGeneral
Ngcobo a bad choice for chief justice
In the run up to the ANC Polokwane conference in December 2007, Jacob Zuma’s fervent supporters demanded that as deputy president of the ANC he was Thabo Mbeki’s natural successor. The ANC constitution is silent on succession but it has been accepted practice that the deputy is the natural successor. Zuma had criss-crossed the country […]
Posted inGeneral
Blade’s out for those opposed to national health scheme
In his State of the Nation address Jacob Zuma informed us that the government would introduce the National Health Insurance (NHI) in a phased and incremental manner. He went on to inform the nation that “in order to initiate the NHI, the urgent rehabilitation of public hospitals will be undertaken through public-private partnerships”. I understood […]
Posted inGeneral
The financial crisis and rise of pseudo-socialists
In Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy Joseph Schumpeter makes an observation that may prove rather sobering for the pseudo-socialist peddlers of “vulgarised Marxism”. He says The Communist Manifesto is “an account nothing short of glowing of the achievements of capitalism”. Karl Marx noted that the bourgeoisie “accomplished wonders far surpassing Egyptian pyramids, Roman aqueducts and Gothic […]
Posted inGeneral
Burka violates women’s right to dignity
Freedom of expression, subject to particular limitations, in all democratic societies is guaranteed to all citizens. Democratic values of human dignity and equality are affirmed by such freedoms, which we hold dearly. It is generally accepted in our country that while we exercise these freedoms, none of us should extend them to advocacy of hatred […]
Posted inGeneral
A critical look at Zuma’s State of the Nation address
Jacob Zuma has consistently demonstrated an uncanny ability to be everything to everyone; saying all the right things at the right time. He seems to have the need to please everyone; something that would suggest a sense of disturbing insecurity about him. It is generally leaders who lack confidence in their capability who seek broad […]
Posted inGeneral
Zuma, ANC fail their first ethical test
Bess Myerson, a 1950s beauty queen, once said: “The accomplice to the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference.” The shameless regularity with which acts of impropriety re-emerge at every station of life has certainly numbed the collective conscience of society. Even those who lament the erosion of morality and ethics in all spheres […]
Posted inNews/Politics
What was Cosatu thinking?
It’s very commendable for Cosatu to have gone to such great lengths to fight for workers’ rights in the Vodacom-Vodafone deal. Cosatu filed court papers opposing the transaction in which Vodafone would acquire a 15% stake in Vodacom from Telkom for a cash consideration of R22.5 billion. The transaction increases Vodafone’s shareholding in Vodacom from 50% […]
Posted inGeneral
The charming, humble and amiable Pres Zuma
Jacob Zuma has never been a man who aroused any pride in me as a citizen of this country; nor has he inspired much confidence in me to impose the trust of leadership on his shoulders. There are those who without a degree of hesitation would give an arm on his behalf; driven by their […]