In agreeing with Davidson Nicol of Sierre Leone on the meaning of Africa, Ali Mazrui states that “yes, Africa is a concept, pregnant with the dreams of millions of people”. In fact, in Mazrui’s outstanding book, Africa since 1935, a number of essays take the reader through a number of important issues on Africa and […]
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Posted inNews/Politics
Kgalema Motlanthe from Xuma to Zuma
Isn’t it ironic that South Africa’s new president Kgalema Motlanthe was born in 1949 — the year that Dr Alfred Bitini Xuma, who had been ANC president from 1940 to 1949, was ousted by radical elements within the party, particularly the ANCYL, who believed that he was too moderate? Dr Xuma, a medical doctor who […]
Posted inBusiness, News/Politics
Of Aids, economics, fortune-telling and black swans
As a director of BusinessMap, a research organisation, it was my task to brief foreign investors about the political and economic challenges they might face in investing in South Africa. A question they often asked was: “What economic impact will the HIV-Aids virus have?” At first I would answer that it was difficult if not […]
Posted inNews/Politics
So, the dog finally catches its tail.
I really enjoyed seeing president Mbeki being booted out of office last week. No, not because I necessarily wanted him out. I quite enjoyed his time at the helm. Only a cursory glance through my posts will reveal that I quite like Mbeki — especially his brain. It’s a penchant I share with an individual […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Should Zuma give way for a Motlanthe presidency after the 2009 elections?
If Zuma were to get up and address the nation and tell us that he has no intentions of running for the presidency of the country, he would do much to repair his chequered reputation. Such an announcement would probably be one of the single greatest acts of self-sacrifice this nation has ever seen. It […]
Posted inGeneral
14-man Kaizer Chiefs beat Mamelodi Sundowns
Disclaimer: This blog is not about the hatred, dislike or favoritism of any team. It is purely about the “psychological” aspects of playing against Chiefs, reflecting on the MTN8 cup final. There can be no denying that Kaizer Chiefs is arguably the most successful team in South African football. On Tuesday night they scraped yet […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zimbabwe stalemate an opportunity for Zanu-PF
While many sceptics believe the deal engineered by President Thabo Mbeki would afford Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe the opportunity to again outwit his opponents and carry on regardless, this is completely divorced from the reality. In fact, the country has ground to a standstill while Mugabe and those still loyal to him attempt to cling […]
Posted inNews/Politics
When Mbeki goes, it will be ‘business unusual’
Perhaps someone must warn my country men not to gnash their teeth now that the ANC has asked its … er, former president to return to base. There has been too much political noise following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki as president of the continent’s youngest democracy. Look, the man has quit and the […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Interesting times indeed … the CMRS on Mbeki and leadership
The Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars is committed to four core principles: leadership, entrepreneurship, reconciliation and education. The principle of leadership requires all scholars to commit themselves to ethical leadership; leadership that places the interests of society ahead of the interests of individuals, factions or groups. In attempting to propagate its principles, the Community as […]
Posted inGeneral
Twitter saved my life!
Ok, it didn’t actually save my life but I definitely felt something change this weekend. I was sitting at home in quiet, decidedly suburban Durbanville when I heard a tremendous bang and the front door shook like it had just been hit by something very heavy. What the bork was that? I evaluated my sources […]
Posted inLifestyle
‘I’m a racist. You’re a racist. Let’s talk.’ Bzzt! Wrong answer (part 2)
The second in a series The woman with whom I am sharing the lift as we descend to the ground floor of our apartment building is a complete stranger. I reach across and touch her clothing: gently pull at the blouse on her waist area. She keeps smiling at me, nodding. I smile back, as […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The mighty has fallen, wounded and humiliated by his own comrades!
William Butler Yeats in the The Second Coming uses religious symbolism to illustrate his anguish over the apparent decline of Europe’s ruling class. The poem is more poignant given the depressing political events in our country. Yeats said: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the […]