This week's M&G is now free to read.
Denel lands deep in Gulf crisis
The South African arms manufacturer fends off undue pressure from a Saudi military company
Government ‘uncomfortable’ with Zuma meeting Qatar emir
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Qatar are strained following a decision by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to meet former president Jacob Zuma last month, despite South Africa’s wishes that the meeting not go ahead.
Limpopo duo in hot water
Two ANC leaders implicated in the VBS bank report will be called to appear before the party’s integrity commission
‘Hitler post’ won’t hold Dlamini back
Mcebo Dlamini announced last week that he would contest the ANCYL’s leadership race
Slice of life: I’m not a dog. I’m a human
“I identify as a trans woman. I wear short mini skirts and high heels. I’ve been doing sex work for seven years and have been living on the street for 10 years.”
New Act, new council, new Bar
The Legal Practice Act and the Pan Africa Bar Association promise to bring big changes
Lawyers differ over rape grilling
Counsel for rape accused Timothy Omotoso has faced outrage for his cross-examination of Cheryl Zondi, who has accused the televangelist pastor of grooming and sexually abusing her since she was 14 years old.
Millionaire golf estate sucks water
Blair Atholl, which is in a dry area, wants to drill boreholes to water its golf course. It’s a textbook case of how ‘developers’ manipulate the rules
Eish, robot: The road to mecha
Dean Kamen has created prosthetic arms with fingers that can pick up a grape and pop it into your mouth
The business of war in Yemen – How Saudi dollars keep the arms flowing
No one, not even seemingly principled SA, can resist selling weapons to a warring, rogue state
Khashoggi was collateral damage
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s lukewarm reforms sends a signal of consent to a murderous regime
Adverse audit for Zululand body
The auditor general berated Ingonyama Trust for mismanagement and wrongfully keeping revenue
Feisty female farmer with va-va-voom
“When I introduce myself as a farmer, they say: ‘You are too pretty for that,’ but I’ve got a brain,” says Dineo Boshomane. “Others say: ‘Let me touch your hands. They are too soft.’ My hands are soft because I take care of myself.
Chemical killing the killer whales
Half the world’s orcas are doomed, because a coal byproduct has been leaking into the oceans for more than a century
Black animal lovers ‘invade’ white spaces
Activists and pet owners of colour get a going-over because of racist views about people’s culture
Bid to lay ‘ghost’ branches to rest
Last-ditch talks are to take place between the ANC national leadership and disaffected Mpumalanga party members this weekend in an attempt to resolve their high court bid to stop 108 “ghost” branches from taking part in the provincial list process ahead of next year’s national and provincial elections.
amaHlubi’s battle against colonial legacy heads to high court
One of South Africa’s oldest nations is fighting for recognition of its king, language and ancestral land
Timol: New case against security cop
The NPA has, until now, failed to prosecute perpetrators who didn’t get amnesty from the TRC
Union deductions not paid to Sars
The National Transport movement has also not paid the provident fund to members’ fury
Murder leaves Coligny changed
There are conditions to this reconciliation — Moshoeu is not being employed.
HEALTH:
Why we are closer to cracking cancer’s biggest riddle
Like criminals at the scene of a crime, the substances that cause cancer leave their fingerprints behind. Now, the world may be closer than ever to unravelling the clues hidden in our DNA
AFRICA:
Abiy Ahmed’s Ethiopian exceptionalism
Ethiopia’s new prime minister is trying to do things differently. If he succeeds, the consequences will be felt beyond his borders
When Ye meets Yoweri, it’s collision
Despite their best efforts, their worlds are so far apart they have nothing to talk about
CAR’s brand of state failure is unique
One-size-fits-all solutions cannot fix the myriad problems facing the Central African Republic
‘They’ve taken our sand and left nothing’
Sand mining by a Chinese company destroyed a lagoon and wetland and flooded out a village
WORLD:
Taiwan’s tricky place in the world
As global uncertainty increases, so the Republic of China’s future becomes more uncertain
BUSINESS:
VBS: How far will states bill stretch?
The total amount is yet to tallied but could reach billions and could hit taxpayers in the pocket
Vegans hope to see a reduction in plant-based food prices
“Dairy-free, cheddar-flavoured cheese.” This particular combination of words might not sound appealing to the average South African, but to some vegans its allure is undeniable.
Moyane’s failings laid bare
The damage to the IT department alone is likely to amount to R2.16-billion over the next five years
China’s uncertainties rattle Tencent
A trade war with the US, a crackdown on video gaming and a bear market have dimmed its prospects
Prasa battles to get back on track
The rail agency needs court supervision to comply with safety directives, as it faces mounting problems.
COMMENT & ANALYSIS:
Don’t cut our civil servants. Train them
To stay abreast in these confusing times, the public service must be empowered to act
Editorial: Our power rests on the truth
Trustworthy information is a vital part of a healthy democracy
Editorial: Fallout from Facebook
In the latest scandal, the platform realised that it was reporting up to 900% increases in the number of people watching videos
Labour court judges block workers’ right to strike
In recent weeks, three cases have come to light that clearly show that labour court judges are issuing court orders forbidding strikes
I got the death squad ‘evidence’
A zillion emails await me – and a pile of newspapers, which is where I spot a chance to win the journo prize
Court the women’s vote in 2019
A new study finds that women voters, who carry the bulk of the socioeconomic and inequality burden, may put socioeconomic rights above party loyalties in the coming national elections
Gender gap widens in SA media
The latest media figures show that women are slowly advancing, but their experiences tell of little change at the top
Odds stacked against Cyril’s stimulus offer
To make it work, politicians must stop meddling and people with expertise must be brought in
Crime intelligence played reporters
A former Hawks spokesperson claims he alerted the Sunday Times to the fact that it was being used
People must be able to trust the police
Reacting to the recent release of discouraging crime statistics, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the police alone cannot win the fight against crime. He appealed for more civilian involvement.
SA’s social policies must be resurrected
As with economics, the state is rudderless, which requires a return to the ideals of the Constitution and a developmental state
Attacking race laws bought time
The were small gains to be had by finding loopholes in the laws that bolstered apartheid
Anxiety can destroy your life
The disorder is often misdiagnosed because symptoms mask the problem, but it can be treated with therapy
FIFTH COLUMN: A 50-minute work week is remotely possible
In all the offices I’ve worked, I sat in the so-called bullpen — a shared working space modelled on war-time sweat shops.
TVET gets a much-needed boost
The NMU has launched a meticulously researched diploma that addresses the many critical issues of technical training
FRIDAY:
The quest for intonga yam
In complicated spaces and times, these songs have held us in inexplicable ways, ways that are difficult to place into the binaries to which we are so attached.
The Weekend Guide
John Kani stars in Congo: The Trial of King Leopold
On our Lists this week:
What a Time to Be Alone by Chidera Eggerue, Drogas Wave by Lupe Fiasco
Lupe resurrects slave myth
The rapper’s ‘DROGAS Wave’ album builds on the painting ‘Slave Ship’ and accompanying poem
Creating harmony and melody through the lens
The Lagos Photo Festival brings together 22 photographers from 18 countries to expand the scope and role of photography on the continent
A heroine rises from the ashes
Artist Florine Demosthene’s aesthetic has evolved, in part, from the restless nature of her practice.
Little America is a good first step but …
With the promise to explore the growing use of American gimmicks and language by South African artists, it appeared as if the film would address how mainstream South African music has gone from the likes of Mandoza asking us “Uzoyithola kanjani uhleli ekhoneni [How will you get what you want by sitting on the street corner]?” to Gemini Major.
VBS report is a reader’s dream
The author of the report sets the wags talking about a reality that at times seems more farcical than fiction
1995 play still relevant today
The president and his fawning ministers are being interrogated about corruption. Sound familiar?
Luv hub for lonely Capetonians
Young black professionals have found a place that offers support, community and a network
SPORT:
Defying age on the football field
Veterans put youngsters to shame as they prove that what counts is how you treat your body
War vets prepare for battle at Invictus Games
The event — the brainchild of the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry, who will attend the fourth edition in Sydney starting Saturday — brings together 500 competitors from 18 countries.
Consistency is vital – Cheika
Oz coach admits changes in tactics are needed, but he stand behind his trio of assistant coaches
N’tofo n’tofo to Maccabi’s rescue
Collins Mbesuma among the old hands at the heart of the newly promoted club