At least twice in an August-to-May cycle, a piece of rail track running between Mlamlankunzi and Orlando stations, no more than 2km long, becomes one of the most divisive objects in South Africa. It is the track, part of the line from Johannesburg to Vereeniging, that divides the Soweto suburb of Orlando into what is called Orlando East (or simply Orlando) and Orlando West.
A strange thing about the SABC is that none of the six soapies it flights each day on its television channels has a fictitious public broadcasting institution as a backdrop. Yet it has a ready-made plot on its doorstep. Take, for example, the appointment of Snuki Zikalala as new managing director for news and current affairs at the public broadcaster. Like him or loathe him, Snuki Zikalala is back.
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The appointment of the Cabinet and provincial premiers is the prerogative of President Thabo Mbeki — and one which he has so far determinedly exercised on his own. In part, Mbeki most probably does it to avoid the manoeuvring and the creation of cabals that would almost be sure to follow if African National Congress officials felt they could campaign their way into Cabinet.
Things are changing at St Angela’s in Dobsonville, Soweto, and other Catholic parishes. A hierarchy of worship is being challenged as these congregants return to their African roots, eschewing the connection to Rome and the conduct of service in Latin, previously elements they held close to their hearts. And as the orthodox hymn goes, all over the world the spirit is moving.
Patrick Mtawali, Ernest’s 18-year-old son, is a youngster in the Wits University team. With the Absa Cup draw pitting Ajax – where Mtawali senior plays -and Wits University, there is the possibility of a rarity in world football: a father and a son could face each other in a competitive, top-flight match.
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In the run-up to the election, Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini is making news — because of his decision to acquire another child bride. So very different from the gory days before the 1994 election when his name was invoked by the Inkatha Freedom Party to give credibility to its threat that it would raise an army if it was not granted concessions during strategic political negotiations.
The decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal to reduce a life sentence imposed on a woman who hired hitmen to kill her abusive partner has given new hope to the 169 women in jail for killing their partners and could set a precedent. The court on Thursday took a history of abuse into account when it reduced the life sentence imposed on Anita Ferreira in January 2001 to six years.
The opening of the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg was attended by judges, including chief justices, from all over the world. It was a truly a momentous occasion for South Africa’s judiciary. It was, therefore, a pity that many of the distinguished guests did not know that ours is still such an inconsistent judiciary that it often faces reasonable accusations of remaining racist and arbitrary.
The Department of Public Works will go ahead with ”fruitless expenditure” on a site worth R10-million, despite not knowing who will use it. Bewildered public works officials, who spoke to the Mail & Guardian on condition of anonymity, said the department’s acquisition of property with no immediate user will be a violation of the Public Finance Management Act.
The new national soccer coach, who has already been flagged offside before he has even kicked the ball in anger, has at least one thing going for him — most members of his team are Europe-based and therefore the cultural differences would be minimal. This is the view of former Bafana Bafana striker Phil Chippa Masinga.