Robert Mugabe’s appearance at the World Food Summit in Rome has been described as “obscene” by observers mindful of the human rights disaster that is Zimbabwe, and the atrocities being carried on prior to the run-off presidential election — more so now that opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was detained and then released from a […]
News/Politics
Posted inNews/Politics
Desperate measures
Tell the lie often enough and you believe it yourself, the saying goes. This is not enough for the current Bush administration. As Barack Obama tied up the Democratic Party nomination, the Republican machinery prepares to play the same terror card they’ve used over the last three election terms in America. There’s nothing surprising in […]
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Should criminals be identified by their race?
One of the differences I’ve noticed in the way that crime is reported in South Africa and Australia is race. As in specifically identifying the race of the suspects. South African reports tend to stay tactfully away from this awkward subject. Occasionally, if the criminal involved is white, the story will draw attention to this […]
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Citizen Monbiot and tomorrow’s justice
In spite of being unsuccessful last week’s attempt by the Guardian columnist George Monbiot to arrest as a war criminal the former US ambassador to the UN, and Under-Secretary Of State for Arms Control, is a salutary reminder of civic duty. The charge against John Bolton, who was speaking at a literature festival in Wales, […]
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle, Media, News/Politics
Black diamonds, white trash
Marketing people are strange types who, I suppose, have to justify their existence by continuously showing management just how clever they are. It always beats me, though, as to why, at car launches, they feel this huge urge to explain to the media just who their product is aimed at. Of course, every presenter earnestly […]
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‘Constitutional vandalism’ is in the eye of the beholder
The Democratic Alliance’s Tony Leon has accused President Mbeki, ANC president Jacob Zuma and Cape Judge President John Hlophe of “constitutional vandalism”. Leon’s allegations arise from a variety of causes, particular to each, as set out in an article from Sapa, which appeared on IOL. The courageous and adroit former leader of the DA is […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Racism, Rock and ruling
“You know how hard it is to make racism just plain fun? Rock does it. Racism to Chris Rock is just a Hacky Sack on his foot. He kicks it up over here, over there, behind the back and then right over to you. The tension release he offers is available nowhere else, from no one else.” Jerry Seinfeld on Chris Rock, currently touring South Africa.
Posted inBusiness, Lifestyle, News/Politics
Black Armani suits and the lack of leadership
I have recently made a very startling discovery: most men who wear black Armani suits are tame. Of course, their dress sense makes them look like very important people who are making it in the world, whatever that means. But on closer scrutiny, their black Giorgio Armani suits soon reveal people who are not only […]
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What does the ANCYL have in common with Young Labor?
Who would have thought it? Australia’s Labor Party, the Ruddites, and the ANC Youth League have something in common. Both of them campaign against youth binge drinking and both of them are given to enjoying a drink or two. Or three. The Daily Telegraph, Australia’s equivalent of the Citizen, is featuring this story on members […]
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Love in the time of unipolarity
I’ve heard it said that relations between the U.S. and South Africa are a lot like relations between the U.S. and France. Having lived in all three countries, I must admit that similarities in the two bilateral relationships are unmistakable.
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Power lodged in narrow hearts part 3: The Leon Phenomenon
Lack of vision is in, clarity of perspective is out. Sound understanding is out, ecclecticism is in. Not all the fog in Cape Town is as a result of changing weather patterns. Mostly, it is the cause of Tony Leon opening his office window. It envelops everything for kilometres on end across the country and […]
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Where goes the continent?
Submitted by Rachel Adams In February of this year, Jody Kollapen, Chairman of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stated that Nelson Mandela had taken reconciliation too far and that there had been an “undue focus on reconciliation rather than transformation“. Of course in all the god-like worship that surrounded the presidency of Nelson […]