General

In his magisterial work, Modern European Thought, Franklin Baumer alludes to the “three blows” that humanity (one could also say “the human ego”) has suffered since the end of the European Middle Ages. First, Copernicus delivered the blow that dethroned humanity as the “crown of creation”, with his mathematical-astronomical claim that we are not at […]

The news on Monday that the ANC and alliance partner Cosatu are set for urgent talks over disagreements that threaten the unity of the tripartite alliance are not surprising, given the developments over the last few months, but they remain a mystery if regard is had to the ideological chasm that remains between them. As […]

By Roger Diamond When resources get tight, people go on the warpath to extirpate those who they are told do not deserve to share a slice of the pie. All countries have, to some degree, targeted people with an otherness and eradicated them so that those in favour can supposedly enjoy a greater share of […]

A cursory squizz through YouTube will tell you a lot about Mugabe, a man who is recorded all over the internet as having something to do with Zimbabwe. He is variously referred to as one of the liberators of Africa — having served the liberation movements of Africa since his youth and as the tyrant […]

His Excellency, the President Messier JS Malema, Esq. c/o ANC Youth League Luthuli House, Sauer Street Johannesburg, South Africa Dear Jules As you know I attempted, of my own volition, to save your political career at the end of August 2009, with the publication of a electronic booklet, called the Prosperity of Our Potential. Written […]

By Sydwell S Hlongwane SuperSport United have proved their dominance in the the Absa Premiership, winning the league championship three times in a row. They have proved beyond any reasonable doubt that they are the best team in the South African league at the moment. Before their local league becomes boring, they need to start […]

I don’t like press conferences. Organised to propagate nothing more than a particular message, they are spaces where real questions are rarely asked because they are really no place for real answers. Everything is pre-empted, rehearsed, and answers are a performed act, designed by media experts, advisers and prom queen mothers. Everyone knows that real […]

Any lingering doubts about South Africa’s ability to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup have surely been laid to rest with this week’s 100-day countdown festivities. And the most pleasing aspect of this important milestone was not the magnificent new stadiums that were unveiled to the international media or the controlled flurry of activity as […]

By Duncan Newton Keal I have to consider myself one of the most committed sports fans. I have been supporting the Sharks and Proteas with blind passion for numerous years, only to consistently have my heart broken as they conspire to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Currently based in the Land of the […]

I’ve only been involved with professional rugby journalism for just over a year, and one of the urban legends that I’ve picked up on my travels is that there is a bubbling (nothing too discernable) feeling from a section of rugby followers that media coverage in South Africa is biased in favour of certain teams, […]

Microsoft is one of those companies that always seems to carry the weight of the computing world — and rightly so. If you think of any area within computing, MS somehow has a finger in the pie. In some areas of course, they are the pie. Credit has to be given to Microsoft’s improvement in […]

The hall was full of what Archbishop Tutu would have called, the rainbow people of God. The air was filled with pain mixed with faith mixed with gratitude mixed with extraordinary hope. There was deep mourning and much open weeping. Occasionally, the sombre mood was punctuated with brief nervous bouts of defiant laughter. Spirit-lifting songs, […]