Most good jokes can be carried off with just the punchline. Note the following: “No signora, ees not my feenger …” “I tried to stop swallowing, but it was all one piece!” “Declawed? I thought you said deboned?” “So the bear picked up the rabbit and wiped his ass with it.” “Perhapth I should rephwase […]
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Posted inGeneral
The spectre of militarisation that haunts the US
The presidential elections in the United States have, so far, presented us with several fascinating matters for discussion, not least of all the fact that for the first time in this country’s history there are a female and a black candidate — both of whom stand a very real chance of actually winning the presidency. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Knowing when to smile or frown
Is it only us, or do all changing societies not know when to cheer and when to worry? The latest example showing that South Africans often wring their hands at things we should cheer — and ignore problems we should wring our hands about — is the charges against Jackie Selebi and, before him, Jacob […]
Posted inGeneral
We have no black thought leaders
One thing that I find pathetic is the whole notion of a black thought leader. Such a thing does not exist. It’s rather striking that in the new South Africa you don’t find anyone making a big deal about “white economic domination” or a “white thought leader”, for instance. Not that this particular breed does […]
Posted inLifestyle
Is Jacob Zuma entitled to more wives?
I have always worked on the assumption that for every topic there is one individual in the world who is the ultimate expert on it. Of course the subject has to be narrow enough for an absolute expert to exist. By my reckoning this should, in all fairness, preclude the rest of us from ever […]
Posted inSport
An hour with Bryan Habana
Without any shadow of a doubt the greatest achievement of Bernie and Faith Habana is the way in which they have raised Bryan (and his brother and sister). He is not a study in fake sincerity or modesty and is a truly well mannered, decent human being who just happens to be a superstar. Regardless […]
Posted inMedia
Why Thought Leader is early on at the crossroads
It is the unprecedented flux and ferment within the ruling ANC and its alliance partners that must encourage us to break new ground in our critical thinking and intellectual courage, tear into inflated egos, pull down the high and mighty from their pedestals and even take the bull by the horns. The recent robust debates […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Prosecute Zuma on principle — you must be joking
As my regular readers will know, I am a big fan of President Thabo Mbeki and supported his bid to reclaim the ANC leadership at Polokwane. That does not detract from the fact that the delegates at Polokwane chose Jacob Zuma as ANC president, and members and supporters of the ANC have to accept that. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Kenya’s woes have warnings for South Africa
Kenyans have been frightened by the extent and scale of post-election violence and displacement, but what has shocked them most is how fast the economy has faltered. Tourists exited in droves when violence broke out after Kibaki assumed power. On an Airbus to Nairobi from Johannesburg that can hold 300, there were 30 passengers; all […]
Posted inGeneral
White man’s blues
Mr Vincent Maher: Sir, this letter is my response to your blog entitled “Thought Leader and racial/ gender representation“. The first trick in the book (as far as I understand) is that you’ve got to have something to say, and that I personally believe is what you’ve been overlooking when you ask: “Do you perceive […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
We can’t run away from race
It was with great interest that I read Vincent Maher’s justification on the demographics of Thought Leader contributors. Unlike Maher, I am not white but like him I also voted for the first time in 1994. By that time I was already 34 years old and should have had a tradition of voting, but unfortunately, […]
Posted inGeneral
Beware — the sneaky bots are everywhere
Every time I write about privacy and security on the internet I get a whole bunch of people who accuse me of paranoia. They maintain I am looking for conspiracy theories — if you have nothing to hide, then why worry who is following you on the internet? Besides which, I’ve been told, as consumers […]