Sydney Mathibe Famous and “strong” witch doctors can prosper. Ngaka Mahlakwane, who practises on the East Rand, charges R5 for bone- throwing, while Dr Zungu, well known in Vosloorus, charges R20 for the same service. These are some of the more common fees: l “Strengthening” a home: R400 to R1 000 a year. l Curing […]
Douglas Rushkoff: ONLINE I signed on to a cause a few weeks ago: a crusade for rational thinking about technology and its role in human affairs. Oddly and amazingly, just that statement alone has proven controversial. For those who see me as a pro- technology Utopian, or who are devoutly pro-technology themselves, it sounds like […]
As a long-time ardent admirer of Govin Reddy may I add my humble voice to his own stridulations in regard to his having missed out on the top SABC sinecure. What is more disturbing is how the SABC board itself is also in the business of missing out, in Mr Reddy’s case, on a critically […]
Alex Dodd Even a telephone conversation with gifted storyteller Antoinette Pienaar leaves you feeling like your blood’s flowing at a different pace through your veins. I’m in an office in the metropolis and she’s miles away on a farm drenched in winter sunlight, yet when we’ve finished speaking my heart is somehow beating at a […]
Recent changes announced by the McCarthy Group, including the creation of McCarthy Bank, came as no surprise to industrial analysts and other market pundits. The company has been languishing in no-man’s land for 18 months and analysts have expressed concern about a lack of clear direction at the top of the company. Directors had punted […]
fun Ruud Gullit So far, so very good. I have been impressed with this World Cup to date. These are early days and not all the teams have played yet, but I like the positive attitude so many are showing. There have been a few draws, but lots of goals too, and I think it […]
Lauren Shantall One of the main motivating factors behind this year’s Focus on Swedish and Scandinavian Cinema is the opportunity of celebrating the 80th birthday of the accomplished Ingmar Bergman on July 14 – an event that is to be celebrated across the cinematic world by the staging of Bergman retrospectives. It also coincides almost […]
Michel Bajuk X-ray vision and wireless Internet access may soon turn ordinary reporters to real- life Clark Kents. Hi-tech sunglasses with groovy features will also provide future super-reporters with vast database access, extraordinary communications capabilities and advanced analytical tools. All this voice-controlled with a user-friendly interface. Science fiction? No. It may seem to be inspired […]
Alex Dodd has been appointed editor of the Mail & Guardian’s Friday section. A BJourn graduate, she began her career as a trainee at the M&G, and later become a reporter focusing on arts and profiles. She then worked for the Rapid Phase Group, where she co-conceptualised and scripted a 60-part radio soap opera on […]
Thorough preparation is the key to getting a salary increase, writes Mandy Collins For most people, there comes a time when their salary just doesn’t cover things anymore. The bills seem to be mounting up, and making ends meet becomes an impossibility, while your colleague at the next desk is swanning around in a new […]