There is no nice way of saying this, but those black journalists who chased away their white colleagues at a function attended by Jacob Zuma should not be allowed to continue in this profession. If they are to provide a safeguard against political abuse and report on the moral well-being of this country, then I […]
Michael Trapido
Mike Trapido is a criminal attorney and publicist having also worked as an editor and journalist.
He was born in Johannesburg and attended HA Jack and Highlands North High Schools.
He married Robyn in 1984 (Mrs Traps, aka "the government") and has three sons (who all look suspiciously like her ex-boss).
He was a counsellor on the JCCI for a year around 1992.
His passions include Derby County, Blue Bulls, Orlando Pirates, Proteas and Springboks.
He takes Valium in order to cope with Bafana Bafana's results.
Practice Michael Trapido Attorney (civil and criminal) 011 022 7332
Posted inGeneral
Zuma, crime, power failures occasioning brain drain? It’s not for your children
The prospect of a Jacob Zuma presidency, a disturbing crime rate and power failures are being cited among the major reasons for what could be a substantial brain drain from South Africa over the next few years. This in itself is a cause for concern as our fledgling multiracial democracy comes to terms with its […]
Posted inBusiness, Sport
An hour with Jake White and Gavin Varejes
When Gavin Varejes approached Jake White with the offer that kept him in South Africa, millions of local sports supporters rejoiced. The thought of losing one of our sporting heroes to England, Wales or worse, Australia was more than we could bear. The eleventh-hour offer by Richmark Holdings Group to White and his subsequent acceptance […]
Posted inGeneral
Runaway train
South Africa is a beautiful country with warm and spontaneous people who run a real risk of boarding a runaway train fuelled by fear and driven by resentment and ambition; fear of an uncertain, ever-changing future, spinning circles around a violent present occasioned by a tormented past. Surviving while squatting on someone else’s property, being […]
Posted inGeneral, Sport
Bring me the head of Rafa Benitez
I am so sick of hearing about how Rafa Benitez is not to blame for the Barnsley FA Cup debacle, the poor league form and just about everything else that is wrong with Liverpool Football Club. The fact is, he is front and centre the reason why this great club is languishing while Man United, […]
Posted inGeneral
Zuma vs Motlanthe? Colour me confused
If, as suggested, there is a split in the Zuma camp between those who believe that Kgalema Motlanthe rather than Jacob Zuma should replace Thabo Mbeki as South Africa’s president, then I am more than slightly confused. In terms of JZ facing a trial for corruption and his being tainted by the rape trial, I […]
Posted inGeneral
Apartheid versus the new South Africa: Nothing is black or white
I would rather live in the new South Africa with its non-stop power failures, crime-riddled society and (who changed the f***ing climate?) monsoon weather than return to the “good old” days of apartheid. To my mind it’s not even worthy of debate. Notwithstanding, I figured that with just over five months of Thought Leader having […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Scorpions and now organised crime? Why not just legalise corruption?
I have worked on many cases involving the Scorpions and the organised crime unit over the years. While both have their flaws — who doesn’t? — they are nonetheless our knights in shining armour and, without a doubt, our spearhead in the fight against major crime. They comprise highly trained and courageous professionals who are […]
Posted inLifestyle
‘Poephol of the Bailey’
One of the funniest series of books you’ll ever read is John Mortimer’s Rumpole of the Bailey. Each one tells a different story about Horace Rumpole, a criminal barrister who spends his days in the criminal courts of England trying to keep his rogues out of jail. My son Joshua and I love reading them […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Sharia law an antidote to modernity or legislating misogyny?
When the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, opened this can of worms, he must have cut his hand on the tin. His suggestion that sharia law might have a place within British law has left a gash in his support base so wide that it will need umpteen stitches just to stop the bleeding. […]
Posted inGeneral
Sharia law for UK? Why not Fifa, IRB and ICC rules for SA?
There is an unholy uproar in the United Kingdom right now regarding comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Dr Williams unleashed hell on earth by daring to suggest that parts of Sharia or Islamic Law be adopted into Britain. For my part I believe that if a community does express a desire […]
Posted inSport
Mr Zuma, South African sport is at war
South Africa’s three major sports are in turmoil and the problems lie with the politicians and individual administrators whose racism, negligence and megalomania are coming home to roost. South African cricket, after two successful series wins and a grand send-off for Shaun Pollock, is in the process of creating long-term hatred by the obsession with […]