Ferial Haffajee looks at the latest book to offer an explanation for the mess we're in

"The Mail & Guardian is a muckraking newspaper. Ours is not a sober newspaper like the Financial Times (though I wish we could occasionally imitate its sobriety) or a paper of record like the Washington Post," writes Ferial Haffajee. Muckraking requires running those articles that stir debate and in the past year we have whet the appetite (and often the ire) of readers -- most recently with Malegapuru Makgoba's article.

Ferial Haffajee, together with M&G reporters, delivers this year's report card on government ministers' perfomance.

Cabinet this week approved a black economic empowerment Bill, setting in motion the law that will give guidance and substance to the transfer of wealth.

Remember the days when, as inaugural transport minister, Mac Maharaj insisted that he would continue to drive his beat-up old Jetta? It struck a chord, for it spoke of a government that would live comfortably yet simply. Those days died quickly as the new democrats dusted off old protocol books designed for a venal order.

Ferial Haffajee looks at the latest book to offer an explanation for the mess we're in

"The Mail & Guardian is a muckraking newspaper. Ours is not a sober newspaper like the Financial Times (though I wish we could occasionally imitate its sobriety) or a paper of record like the Washington Post," writes Ferial Haffajee. Muckraking requires running those articles that stir debate and in the past year we have whet the appetite (and often the ire) of readers -- most recently with Malegapuru Makgoba's article.

Ferial Haffajee, together with M&G reporters, delivers this year's report card on government ministers' perfomance.