by Jordan Griffiths South Africa has a proud tradition of radical and innovative student politics. This is the country of Steve Biko’s SASO, the National Union of South African Students (Nusas), the detention and banning of student activists like Patrick Duncan and Ian Robertson, and the rise of student leaders like Tony Leon – who […]
General
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Giving the world a human face
Since it began centuries ago, the South African struggle has been premised on creating a just and equal society that would, ultimately, be a home for all, irrespective of race, class, position or background. If African warriors who served under African kings like Ngqika of the Xhosa, Shaka of the Zulus and Moshoeshoe of Basotho […]
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ODIs heading for oblivion
The ICC has recently approved a six-match T20 series between Australia and Pakistan, most likely to be held from August 22 to September 8 in the United Arab Emirates. This will be the longest ever international T20 series. For all the talk that less international cricket should be played, the sanctity of Test cricket be protected and […]
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Occupy Philanthropy: From charity to change
What would an Occupy activist say to a group of 100 millionaires? I was recently asked to speak at the Nexus Global Youth Summit in London, a gathering of the most innovative and influential young millionaires and CEOs in Europe and the Americas. The conference focused on how to make philanthropy and social enterprise work […]
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The African Renaissance for Dummies
I’m probably going to make a fool of myself publishing this column, as it is about the economy, and I know very little about the economy. Until very recently, for instance, I was still under the impression that the Eurozone was a trance state one reaches during deep meditation. Apparently, it’s not that at all, […]
Posted inGeneral, Lifestyle, Sport
These Chinese football imports are not fong-kong
The rate at which world top football stars are migrating to China, I am starting to believe Sepp Blatter that maybe, just maybe football began in the communist state. The latest this week was former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba who decided to part ways with the Yorkshire pudding for the Shenghai sushi. […]
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Is identifying with Nazism problematic?
As those who have been reading the Sunday Times over the past couple of weeks may know, St. John’s College, one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious private schools, was recently embarrassed by a mock Nazi demonstration conducted by some of its pupils at a school assembly. What happened was that for “Moustache Day”, one of the […]
Posted inBusiness, General
Eurozone crisis: Where things stand
On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma’s office announced that South Africa will contribute $2-billion (R16.3-billion) to an international fund created to bail out Europe’s debt-stricken nations. The government’s pledge is part of a $75-billion commitment from the Brics nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – to help bolster a $456-billion rescue fund administered […]
Posted inGeneral, News/Politics
Time is running out – even Charles of Wales is worried
When Britain’s Prince of Wales shows clear signs of agitation at world leaders’ curious paralysis in the face of the rapid deterioration of planetary ecological conditions, it should send a message to everyone concerned. And that means every human being on the planet, where humans are (supposedly) the custodians of planetary “health” but have been […]
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Meyer passes his first test
Two down, one to go. That is probably what Heyneke Meyer will be telling himself as the Springboks look to sweep England 3-0 when the two sides clash in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The team chosen for the series has done the job and, apart from a dip at Ellis Park, has stuck to the task […]
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Youth culture’s double negative
Last week, a youth culture archive named Staticphlow went live two days before Youth Day. I joined heads with some scholars, activists and hip-hop DJs and MCs to finally do something about our complaints that youth culture is both exploited and neglected. You might say that youth culture suffers from a sort of double negative. […]
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ANC lives and leads: A burning reminder
By Petunia Mpoza I wake up to the beep of my phone, signalling messages from friends and comrades alike, ensuring departure centres and time. It is at this moment that I realise that it is more than simply individuals from all walks of life who congregate in African National Congress regalia. It is not simply […]