Iden Wetherell A banking crisis is followed by economic collapse. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) steps in with a harsh rescue package. Student-led anti-corruption protests precipitate the fall of a dictator whose rule has only recently been praised as providing regional stability. Zimbabwe may at first glance appear far removed from Indonesia. But recent events […]
John Hooper Human rights observers were last week given a rare glimpse into the workings of one of the world’s least known – and least savoury – regimes. In Malabo, the capital of theEformer Spanish colony of Equatorial Guinea, 117 people went on trial accused of separatist violence. The defendants, many of whom face the […]
Andy Capostagno The row over who really won the Super 12, the Canterbury Crusaders or the referees, refuses to die down. It seems that whereas in the past, a chorus of “Who’s the bastard in the black” to the tune of Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer was deemed sufficient to let the man in […]
Xolela Mangcu: CROSSFIRE South Africa’s transition to democracy has been framed almost exclusively in political and economic terms. The formal transition to a constitutional democracy has been followed by an even greater focus on economic growth. While all of this is understandable and desirable, relatively little attention has been given to our public values. And […]
Ruaridh Nicoll He may be yellow, non-existent and have deformed hands, but Bart Simpson, cartoon dude most excellent, is one of Time magazine’s 20 most influential artists and entertainers of our century. The American news magazine has released its second top 20 list, this time looking at the arts, in the run- up to naming […]
Shaun de Waal Ken Barris has won the R50 000 M-Net Book Prize in the English category for his novel The Jailer’s Book, published by Kagiso. The win was somewhat unexpected by the author, who said, “Iwas surprised – and grateful for the acknowledgement, bearing in mind how long it took to get the book […]
Robyn Alexander, who helped curate an exhibition on the reproductive body, explains the thinking behind the show The Bringing Up Baby exhibition is part of the main programme at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. It was first conceived (and, of course, that verb is used deliberately) by its curator Terry Kurgan, during […]
Bongani Siqoko World Cup fever has hit South Africa harder than the Sydney flu, and businesses are cashing in on the frenzy of fans. When Bafana Bafana open their World Cup campaign on June 12, they will be one of the best-dressed teams in the tournament, says Kappa South Africa marketing director Sthe Buthelezi. The […]
FRIDAY, 6.30PM: Ethiopian aircraft have bombed the Eritrean capital, Asmara. Two aircraft twice bombed an air force base, hitting workshops and hangars. No injuries were reported. The attack comes a day after Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told reporters he would accept a peace plan brokered by Rwanda to end the escalating border conflict between […]
Andrew Muchineripi Soccer Bafana Bafana are just one week away from the greatest challenge of their seven-year existence. Next Friday evening in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, they face World Cup hosts France. It will be the opening Group C match for the countries and both realise that a victory would leave them well […]