News/Politics

When Harrison Ford starred in The Fugitive, who would have thought subsequent adaptations of that motion picture would feature the likes of Sadaam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and now, the brother leader himself, Muammar Gadaffi? With each sequel, the plot thickens. On closer reflection however, it would appear that the ever elusive fugitive is not […]

Last Monday I appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on behalf of one of the suspects arrested for public violence relating to the protests in that township the previous week. In court seven there were, I believe, 19 accused who made their first appearance before a packed gallery waiting to hear what the fate of […]

It was an iconic moment, one that visually summed up how an instantaneous and ubiquitous media limits officialdom’s space for obfuscation, distortion and lying. Spin is getting harder. Muammar Gaddafi’s information chief, Moussa Ibrahim, was on Sunday addressing a captivate audience of international journalists. Literally captive, since they were confined to Tripoli’s Hotel Rix, allowed […]

The continued claim by South African President Jacob Zuma that the approach of the international community to Libya is just one more example of their lack of respect for Africa is not only misplaced but fails to factor in historical considerations relating to the end of apartheid and this country’s woeful efforts to bring lasting […]

By Umeshree Govender Some time back, while Facebook-crastinating in the lab, as one does, my friend, Stuart MacDonald sent me a link to an article on SlutWalk Toronto. My initial reaction to the Toronto police officer’s remark that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised” was a rather defiant “Oh […]

Excellent accommodation and relative peace and quiet — these are the things that appeal to discerning asylum seekers when they consider South Africa. Sure, we have the odd protest from time to time but unlike screaming rebels our revellers mostly sing and dance and the majority of the violence is directed at rubbish bins — […]

By Michelle le Roux A few things we all know: survivors of sexual assault should expect to have their sexual histories interrogated for evidence of promiscuity or provocative behaviour. So too the scrutiny of their personal circumstances to demonstrate unreliability, previous instances of “crying wolf” or lack of truthfulness. We’re told to ask these questions […]

By Amanda Ngwenya What is Rael, a group of Israeli students promoting dialogue, came to offer the students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) their perspectives on the conflict in Israel primarily as a response to anti-Israeli activity in South Africa.   The meeting sparked much interest among the student body, especially as a […]

The comments currently surrounding the appointment of the next chief justice and the value of the Constitution to our masses demonstrates the need for an explanation on both. We need to lay to rest the misconception that some would have us believe ie that the Constitution was some sort of a sell out to the […]

There is a story of a candle that caused a conflagration which incinerated a celebrated war hero in a house that could well have been fire-proof. It is a story full of intrigue. It is a story that over the past week has been told in hushed tones; a story that delves into the macabre […]