Like many people, I had an ambivalent relationship with my father, not the least because of his love for alcohol, usually cane or vodka, from what I can remember. He drank excessively and had an explosive temper when he was under the influence. Other than that he was a good man; but, thinking back to […]
Madiba
Posted inNews/Politics
Fear, hypocrisy and the abuse of Mandela in the ANC
I read a rather hypocritical article penned by former Limpopo premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi in the Sunday Times where he decried the treatment of former president Nelson Mandela during an ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting in 2002. Mr Ramatlhodi was present in that meeting. In the article he details how NEC members called Madiba divisive […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Madiba, FW — this one’s from the heart
As South Africans ponder the future of our multiracial democracy I asked my readers to go back to 1993 and tell me what they thought would have happened, had we turned right towards war, instead of left towards a negotiated settlement. The relevance of that question in assessing our current situation and the way forward, […]
Posted inGeneral
It’s not Oliver OR Madiba
Let me say upfront that I know that I am treading on dangerous ground. But by leaving things unsaid, we are saying something about those things. How many of you reading this know Oliver Tambo’s birthday? My guess is that not many. My anecdotal research has shown me that many of us know the birthday […]
Posted inGeneral
Mandela fariebel
Mondli Makhanya explained the basis for the Sunday Times article, “Feud rips Mandelas apart” as being their contribution to maintaining the Mandela legacy. Having learned of all the family intrigue they felt that it was best to put it into some sort of context, in order to preserve Madiba’s fine reputation. All good and well. […]
Posted inGeneral
Buchan and Tutu are Madiba’s birthday presents
While the Sunday Times was reporting that the ANC were losing voters left, right and centre, Rapport was recording the incredible events that took place at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Angus Buchan, a farmer of Scottish descent who preaches hope and decency through prayer and traditional family values, had drawn a crowd of 70 000 to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Distinguishing between Mandela and Mbeki is poor
While president Thabo Mbeki was making preparations to continue his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe with support from the African Union and the United Nations, Nelson Mandela, Africa’s greatest citizen, was celebrating his 90th birthday. Madiba, a man who has devoted his entire life to the struggle for the liberation of his people, losing nearly three […]
Posted inNews/Politics
In search of Mandela’s people
Madiba shines brilliantly at ninety. One sees it in the gush of smiles that follow mention of his name almost anywhere on the African continent. He remains in the words of the late Brenda Fassie “My Black President” – a title he earned before he was elected by the South African people – and one […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Mbeki is not like Mandela. Zuma is
News reports that President Thabo Mbeki has been meeting in Harare with Mugabe and a tiny dissident group from the MDC leaves me in no doubt that the next item on the table is going to be trying to convince Zimbabwe, the African Union and the United Nations that this is the only government of […]
Posted inNews/Politics
If we’re celebrating Mandela, why are we acting like Mugabe?
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Mad Bob must be feeling pretty warm and fuzzy about the conduct of some of our leaders right now. Madiba less so. The man who devoted his life to a liberation struggle, for all the right reasons, and then to nation-building, now has to listen to […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Why has Nelson Mandela remained silent on Zimbabwe?
Yesterday I picked up on a question from Christopher Hitchens in Slate magazine: Why has Nelson Mandela remained silent on Zimbabwe? The answer, in my humble opinion, is twofold. Firstly he hasn’t, and secondly Madiba has now earned his rest from politics and should, as his doctors advise, remain free of stress, which I would […]
Posted inLifestyle, News/Politics
Well-heeled make the Madiba magic fade as they carry on with business as usual
The privileged class would rather enjoy a life of luxury and indulge in shopping sprees than attend Freedom Day celebrations. They have no shame that their wealth is gotten by stealing and monopolising the Earth’s wealth for themselves, exploiting the working poor and perpetuating class-exclusive lifestyles and economic injustice. In fact, it is so business […]