By Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa As a child growing up, I recall the fervour and momentum around Zambia’s first democratic multiparty election which took place in 1991. I remember running in the streets chanting “the time is now … it’s time for change” and other chants focused on the people’s hope for a better future. Little […]
General
Posted inGeneral
The Mi-Fone A300 (and what it means for Africa)
The greatest trick Steve Jobs ever pulled was getting us to use his phone as the benchmark for all phones. They make a good benchmark of course: best experience, best industrial design and best ecosystem. Best for developed nations (and the developed nation pockets that exist in the developing world) perhaps? But best for Africa? […]
Posted inGeneral
Blitz Bokke blitzed
What an amazing weekend of Sevens in Port Elizabeth – I have to say that I am thrilled that the South African leg of the tournament was moved to Port Elizabeth. Although I do feel for George, there is no doubt that the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium has to be one of the most beautiful. […]
Posted inGeneral
Local is lekker: Building communities rather than corporate profits
The internet is the new kaffeeklatsch, a digital clearinghouse of fact, hearsay, humour, folksy wisdom and calculated maliciousness, all in prodigious quantity. The viral email, in turn, is the whisper behind cupped hand of old – rippling with lightning speed through the global village. And, just occasionally, an inspired idea does the rounds. One such […]
Posted inGeneral
A young philosopher of note
I have had the privilege of becoming acquainted with the work of a young Iranian-American philosopher, Farhang Erfani, along various avenues, and what a pleasure it has been. In addition to papers published by him in philosophical journals, he recently published a book, “Aesthetics of Autonomy – Ricoeur and Sartre on Emancipation, Authenticity, and Selfhood” […]
Posted inGeneral
The north-south rugby divide
This past Saturday saw the Wallabies taking on the Welsh Dragons in Cardiff, what a great prospect I felt in the offing. The Welsh most certainly one of the form teams of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and the Wallabies proving to be the most inconsistent team in world rugby this year. Bryce Lawrence, the […]
Posted inGeneral
Do myths about African sexuality hurt the fight against Aids?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Q: How many sizes do penises come in? A: Five — “small”, “medium”, “large”, “extra-large”, and “does that come in white?” African men have been the subject of European myth-making since the very earliest days of contact between the two continents. One of the hardiest and most enduring […]
Posted inGeneral
Circus Tevez set for Milan
Carlos Tevez, the enfant terrible of Manchester City, has reportedly agreed terms with AC Milan. It is now up to the Italian club to convince City that the deal they offer is a good one, in a way the blue half of Manchester feel they are getting a fair deal. The move has been brewing […]
Posted inGeneral, News/Politics
Jub Jub must address the appropriate intention required for murder
As the defence in the Jub Jub murder trial continues in Soweto it is becoming apparent that the form of intention required for a conviction is not completely understood by the hip-hop star. Murder is the unlawful and intentional killing of another human being. Intention is divided into three types of dolus as opposed to […]
Posted inGeneral
Watershed year for SMS approaching
2012 is the year that the electronic communications opt-in vs opt-out debate is going to come to a head, and the fallout is going to have a significant impact on both businesses and consumers. Related telecommunication regulatory decisions are going to affect both the price of SMS, as well as the amount of SMS spam […]
Posted inGeneral
Selebi won’t be released on medical parole
While speculation is rife about the current state of former police commissioner Jackie Selebi’s health, and pursuant thereto the possibility of him reporting to prison to begin serving his sentence, one thing is certain at this stage, he does not, as yet, qualify for medical parole. In terms of section 79 of the Correctional Services […]
Posted inGeneral
The Black Caps are down…under
If you are in the New Zealand Black Caps camp tonight you are certainly a sad and perhaps concerned team member. The Kiwis are taking on the Australians in down under, the first Test completed at the Gabba in Brisbane with fairly good weather, great pitch and outfield and tremendous support from the locals. When […]