Posted inNews/Politics

Zim: Quiet diplomacy is the only way!

Prophets of doom are battling to swallow their words as President Thabo Mbeki’s diplomatic efforts in Zimbabwe appear to be vindicated. Mbeki has maintained that a people-centred approach stemming from dialogue between Zanu-PF and the MDC is the only hope of a lasting solution to the political and economic meltdown in that country. Since Mbeki […]

Posted inNews/Politics

Would a Barack Obama Presidency be good for Africa?

The American presidential election is about a year away from the national conventions where the Republicans and Democrats nominate their candidates. This takes place in the summer before elections. As things stand, analysts are predicting a Democratic president, namely Hillary Clinton. If, however, the Democrats nominate Obama at their Denver Convention, would that be in […]

Posted inNews/Politics

Whose responsibility is Zimbabwe?

So the SADC summit has come and gone, and once more there is nothing but platitudes coming from the SADC leadership. After veering from one false dawn to another, one has to come to two conclusions; firstly, that the SADC leadership will not intervene, whatever the humanitarian cost, in the affairs of Zimbabwe, and secondly, […]

Posted inNews/Politics

The untouchables

When Madiba finally crossed the Rubicon and started us on the road to a multiracial democracy, the overwhelming majority of South Africans rejoiced. Some 13 years on, in my humble opinion, both presidents, Mandela and Mbeki, have served us well. The country has progressed and is achieving growth. However, like an autistic child, we have […]

Posted inNews/Politics

Manto & Facebook

Does Facebook play a part in politics (governmental, not corporate :-)? Of course! The Sunday Times in South Africa released a front page report yesterday on the South African Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. Over and above the fact that Manto is 66 years old and should probably retire anyway, there are calls from almost every […]