Donna Block After years of fat margins and record profits, South African banks are now crying poverty. In the wake of the recent volatility in the worlds financial markets, commercial banks have seen their profits squeezed by a plunging rand and the Reserve Banks desperate attempts to stave off international speculators by hiking the repo […]
Chris McGreal Nigeria’s new military leader, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, appears close to releasing the imprisoned presidential election winner, Moshood Abiola, after the two men held talks ostensibly aimed at agreeing on conditions for the restoration of civilian rule. But opposition sources say the army is pressing Abiola to renounce his claim to the presidency and […]
Fashion fiend turned house hunk Jeremy Healy is the latest big name DJ to tour the country. Charl Blignaut calls him up in London on the eve of his visit Theres a measure of reassurance in that little peep that sounds just as the call connects Johannesburg to London. Multinational fingertips. A cheery Hello? crosses […]
John Grobler Angolan civilians began fleeing into Namibia this week as both the Luanda government and its Unita foes started forcibly recruiting soldiers. But both could find it hard to recruit willing soldiers to a new war, Angolan watchers said. Last Saturday June 20, about 100 Angolan civilians crossed into Namibia from southern Angola. The […]
Richard Tomlinson outlines a truly African scenario for Johannesburg in the 21st century Mayivuke, an inner-city vision and development strategy for Johannesburg, was launched with fanfare and great expectations a year ago. But its vision was vague and unrealistic, probably because it was not underpinned by an examination of economic and social trends. Business leaders […]
One thing is clear amid all the uncertainty: South Africa’s economy is in big, big trouble, writes Ferial Haffajee Like emergency tow-truck drivers who rub their hands together eagerly when an accident report crackles over their citizen- band radios, the repo men are waiting. A month or so after an interest-rate hike, business picks up […]
Maureen Freely: A SECOND LOOK As anyone who has ever tried to join it can tell you, the Mile High Club is not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s almost impossible to get into position without letting at least one fellow passenger in on the secret. You have to be prepared to stop writhing, […]
Tony Twine A tailpiece to a news bulletin a few years ago reported that a young child had lost his first milk tooth and had been instructed on how to liquidate his asset via the tooth fairy market. Much to his delight, the tooth disappeared overnight, to be replaced by a shining R5 coin it […]
madness’ As a falling yen caused stock market ripples, famous economist John Kenneth Galbraith, approaching 90, speaks to Ben Laurance and William Keegan Let’s start with Japan. What do you see as the medium-term and long-term game? Japan is still in the aftermath of one of the great speculative episodes of our time – both […]
Adam Haupt On show in Cape Town Schisstrrer Saves the Planet! takes its audience into the Willoughby world of schizophrenia. The show is framed by Guy Willoughbys familiar character, Major Schisstirrer. The retired and decidedly demented South African Defence Force character arrives to pitch his right-wing security plan, Bloed Rivier. This time he proposes the […]