Stalled by ambitions for a second term – and not reflecting overmuch on the many lost opportunities of his first – Zuma is in thrall to only one factor: the effect that Malema could have on his chances on re-election.
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Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Julius Malema, Ferial Haffajee, Eric Miyeni and the economic web
It is ignorance of how the media operates that will make people act surprised at the sacking of allegedly controversial Sowetan columnist, Eric Miyeni. He published an article where he attempted to put the relationship between politics and the media into context. Specifically, he tried to link the City Press’ vigorous efforts to taint the […]
Posted inGeneral
The global power of local acts of courage
To fight against what is wrong while accepting the likely insignificance of one’s efforts – that’s an elegantly simple philosophy for life. And dauntingly courageous.
Posted inLifestyle
‘Land grabs’ in agriculture: Who benefits?
The trend of international land grabbing — when governments and private firms invest in or purchase large tracts of land in other countries for the purpose of agricultural production and export — can have serious environmental and social consequences, according to researchers at the Worldwatch Institute. Deals that focus solely on financial profit can leave […]
Posted inNews/Politics
‘Events are not on strike anymore’ – Part 1
It is interesting, frightening even, to receive news of a terror attack while you’re sitting in an airport lounge, about to board an intercontinental flight. Invariably, while you watch the horrific images on Sky News or CNN, your mind connects them with aeroplanes and crashes. Such is the legacy of 9/11. On Friday last I started a journey from […]
Posted inLifestyle
Don’t take breathing for granted
As I type this on my phone, I’m using a borrowed nebuliser, waiting for the Ventolin to take effect. The steam is fogging up my glasses, making it hard to see what I’m doing. Autocorrect is having a field day: when I make a typo, leaving out the l in “bronchodilator”, it offers “neon Jedi […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Mourning the death of a legendary white African journalist
It was with deep regret that some of us learnt of the passing on of legendary African journalist Patrick Laurence. Obituaries were carried in the Mail & Guardian and Sunday Times recently. For over 50 years, Laurence was a passionate and committed political writer whose life and work made a clear distinction between radical African […]
Posted inTech
Eskom and the ANC will leave us in the dark
By Roger Diamond The last decade of inaction, dithering and incompetence on the part of those deciding South Africa’s energy future is going to leave us in the dark — literally and figuratively. Renewable energy generation should already be in operation with massive programmes on research and further installations under way. Yet we sit with […]
Posted inMedia, News/Politics
Lessons from the News of the World scandal
It would be the ultimate irony if the phone-hacking scandal in the United Kingdom that led to the sinking of the News of the World dragged press freedom down with it. The signs are not encouraging. It has been forecast that the scandal will probably see the demise of the UK press self-regulatory body, the […]
Posted inNews/Politics
What will you do for Mandela’s non-racist society?
Nelson Mandela has been at the forefront of the struggle for non-racism and national unity to end all forms of apartheid in South Africa. The world will be celebrating this on his 93rd birthday come July 18. Even though much of his political activity — including leading the military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto We […]
Posted inGeneral
My dear fellow cyclists
While cycling during the past week I realised that so many of us err in our ways. Our habits need to be changed or amended. If we wish to improve our lot with our fellow road users then we need to take immediate action. Only if we do this will we avoid being ostracised, suffer […]
Posted inGeneral
Moving on to the Tri-Nations, now what?
The first Super 15 has come and gone, Sanzar made their TV rights money and there are complaints abound at its elongated format. I am happy that the Reds won the tournament, not only because I called them as the champions after week four, but because the have played consistent, high quality rugby. The rugby […]