David Beresford Another Country Some years ago I had my first book published – the realisation of which had been a childhood ambition and the experience of which turned me against it as a profession. The publisher so far exceeded civilised parameters of incompetence that I was seized with the idea I had fallen victim […]
Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings a second look There has been mixed reaction to the massive volunteer effort to clean and rehabilitate thousands of oiled African penguins. While most people applaud the rescue of this endangered species, others have cast moral aspersions on it. “Why help penguins rather than the poor?” asked a politically correct […]
Khadija Magardie It is not difficult to find Dr Alan Peter, despite the sheer vastness that is Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto. “You mean the white moruti [Sesotho for doctor] who lives in Soweto?” people will say, and point you in whatever direction the youthful, friendly doctor may be doing his daily rounds. The […]
Neal Collins previews the English Premiership soccer season, which kicks off this weekend with the Charity Shield Arsenal Manager: Arsene Wenger. Odds on being sacked this season: 6-1. Last season: Uefa Cup final, second in Premiership. This season: Make no mistake, the loss of Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars will cut deeply into Wenger’s carefully […]
Dot Keet crossfire South African trade negotiators must surely have learned from this country’s hard experiences with the European Union that trade negotiations have very little to do with the rhetoric of “partnership” and a lot to do with the ruthless promotion – and, where necessary, protection – of the interests of national and multinational […]
Shaun de Waal Not quite the movie OFTHEWEEK ‘This film is based on a true story,” we are told portentously, in white letters on a black screen, at the start of Wolfgang Petersen’s mari-time disaster flick The Perfect Storm. Such an announcement often serves to lend a little dignity to melodrama (life is so often […]
serjeant at the bar In October this year the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will consider candidates for the largest number of vacancies for judicial office that that body has been required to appoint. For this reason, its decisions will have a major effect on the nature of an institution that remains predominantly white and male. […]
Roshila Pillay A battered guitar, an ethnic Dogon drum (all the way from Mali) and a beautiful silver flute compete for centre stage. The powerful beat, soulful strumming and high-pitched strains of the flute set an upbeat African tribal tone. Three students walk to the front of the classroom at the Atteridgeville Technical College to […]
Steven Friedman worm’s eye view We can let the police do what they want – or we can try to make them do what we want. Sometimes, an experience helps us understand issues better than abstract debate. The recent arrest of my colleague Xolela Mangcu is an example: it helped crystallise what is wrong with […]
Neil Thomas taking stock The problem with anything popular or fashionable is the ineluctable allure of the unobtainable. As soon as you can’t have it, you want it even more. Offshore unit trust funds, at least those of the rand- denominated variety, have recently attained this Joycean status. The initial impulse, soon after South Africa’s […]