The Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars (CMRS) is a rather queer and gay snapshot of a utopian society. Queer in the sense of it being “different” or “strange”, and gay because CMRS gatherings are often jubilant and joyous occasions. But beyond the archaic and now dated uses of these terms, the CMRS has proven to […]
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Posted inGeneral
Weaker rand won’t help
The global economy is poised for a full-blown “currency war”, where countries deliberately devalue their currencies in order to boost exports and stimulate economic growth. At the recent IMF and G7 meeting in Washington, the IMF’s call for a ceasefire between the two main combatants, the US and China, failed. IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn warned […]
Posted inGeneral
Cricket’s new world order
Epochs can defined by many different things: an era-changing event, a ground-breaking personality or a shift in dominance from one party to another that takes place over a gradual period of time which often crosses the finish line via what would normally be construed as a meaningless event. For the Cold War, it was the […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
The US, African Union and new scramble for Africa
The past few years have seen a dramatic uptick in American diplomatic efforts in Africa, which has coincided with a decisive shift in political rhetoric about the continent. At first glance this might seem like a positive development, reflecting a more progressive attitude toward what has long been considered an unimportant global backwater. But a […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Why would Uncle Bob wipe out Gamu?
While Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is undoubtedly the worst role model Africa has ever had — and that includes Idi Amin — that does not explain the strange claims that are being made by expatriate and X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu who suggests that if she were to be deported there would be a “firing […]
Posted inGeneral
To the commentators on Thought Leader: Stick to the topic
There are a number of regular commentators on Thought Leader who write as much as the bloggers do. Some are clever and witty and make relevant points that further a blog or challenge what the blogger wrote. Many also make nasty, snide, irrelevant remarks that have no bearing on the blog. I notice that some […]
Posted inMedia
Who else is sick of these ads?
It struck me in the Sandton City parking garage of all places. Revelation is normally not associated with the area in front of the pay stations below the Fountain Court — usually one is too busy swearing because the machine keeps rejecting your R20 note — but Sandton City sells space on its lift doors […]
Posted inGeneral
Delhi: The games people play
The views in this article have been expressed in the author’s private capacity The debacle surrounding India’s competency to host the Commonwealth Games begs two “tricky” questions. Firstly, is there still a place in today’s world for the Commonwealth? And secondly, what was India thinking bidding for the Games? My views on each follow. Is […]
Posted inGender violence, News/Politics
A Zambian embarrassment at the Victim Empowerment Conference
I have had the fortune (or misfortune … I’m not quite sure yet) to be at the International Conference on Victim Empowerment this week. We began yesterday with 12 hours of travelling, no food and shower that I had to run circles in to get wet and I had hoped that today would be better. […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Too old to rock ‘n roll, too young to braai!
Waking up with a pounding headache in a small room with extremely ugly curtains. Where am I? I force my aching body out of bed, stumbling through the debris of the night before. Empty wine bottles. Dirty clothes flung over a guitar case. Scribbled notes for a musical set list. Blinding sunlight pouring in through […]
Posted inLifestyle
Of monsters and men RE: Rapists are men
The most important point I need to make is that understanding something is very different from condoning it. Attempting to explain why men rape, and understanding their motivations for raping, is fundamentally different to condoning the act, or trying to ‘explain it away’. Condoning rape would be to play it down, or even to endorse it. Seeking to understand rape on the other hand, is about investigating why it happens. Understanding is not the same as excusing rape or rapists.
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics, Tech
The real cost of renewables
We are at the start of a period of significant investment in renewable energy in South Africa. Renewables will bring many advantages for the country. For simplicity in this blog I will deal mainly with the benefits of wind power, but these benefits will occur with solar, particularly solar PV, as well. The headline cost […]