Ivor Powell An independent audit into the alleged misuse and possible misappropriation of R300-million earmarked for retraining ex- combatants has been forwarded to the Office of the Auditor General for further investigation. KPMG’s audit into the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) service corps was commissioned by Deputy Minister of Defence Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge earlier this […]

Anthony Browne Body Language ‘So many men, so little time!” The actress and temptress Mae West jested about it, but scientists – male ones anyway – are convinced they have proved it. Women – far from being naturally monogamous – are, like men, naturally promiscuous. Biologists believe that women are genetically programmed to have sex […]

England’s celebrations of a Test series victory over the West Indies overshadowed the departure of one of the best bowlers of all time Matthew Engel Monday was the day. England captain Nasser Hussain lifted the long-forgotten Wisden Trophy; the crowd ran on the field, chanting happily; Jimmy Adams, the vanquished captain, was gracious; and Lord […]

Alex Sudheim Never before in human history has a virus bonded so dramatically with creative initiative. Since the scourge of HIV/Aids raised its lethal head over a decade ago, its insidious reach has been fought every step of the way in song, dance, drama, film, art and literature. Providing physical meaning to the term “public […]

acknowledged Sechaba ka’Nkosi crossfire A close friend, Muff Anderson, last year asked me to testify in a civil suit she had instituted against a black colleague. It was a typical office disagreement where the colleague had resorted to calling her a racist. Muff rightfully felt offended. And for a person I had related to as […]

Evidence wa ka Ngobeni The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the state-backed financing company, has been injecting millions of rands into private companies of which the IDC’s chief executive is a shareholder. Kanya Ngqula, who reportedly earns at least a R1-million annual salary from the IDC, is also a director of Worldwide Africa Investment, a black-owned […]

Olympic leaders have shied away from tests which would expose those using human growth hormones Gavin Evans Let’s say you’re a sprinter on the verge of world class. Until now you’ve played it clean – gallons of creatine, glycogen and nitrogen, obviously, but you’ve resisted offers to take the tempting banned performance-enhancers that you just […]

HIV/Aids Jaspreet Kindra and Glenda Daniels The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called on the government to end its “scientific speculation” about the cause of Aids and concentrate on providing affordable treatment to people infected with HIV. Cosatu also says that providing medication to HIV-positive pregnant women and rape victims is “morally […]

James Hall Sacking Swaziland’s most powerful and feared traditional leader, Dibanisa Mavuso, for a poaching violation after a career of seriously abusing the powers of his office may seem like the FBI finally collaring Al Capone for tax evasion. The palace never reacted when the country’s traditional prime minister sent police to round up government […]

Thebe Mabanga theatre The name Fong Kong was made popular by a kwaito hit. It refers to the counterfeit merchandise sold by immigrants on the city’s pavements. It is also the name of an upbeat, interesting production that looks at the daily struggles of African illegal immigrants in South Africa. The piece, which was featured […]