The prospect of state schools closing their doors to the nation’s children next week is undoubtedly the biggest crisis this country has faced in four years of democratic government. The signs are everywhere that education has come off the rails; should there be a strike now, this schooling year might just as well be written […]
Andy Duffy Sibusiso Bengu hates the spotlight, and it’s not hard to see why. Pinned down last week on prime-time TV, the minister of education resorted to pathos to get himself off the hook. “It isn’t my fault,” Bengu pleaded, after being confronted with yet more evidence that education is going down the tube. It’s […]
Suzy Bell On show in Durban Eduoard Manet would have been proud. Reclining Olympia-like for the opening of her exhibition at Durban’s NSA Gallery was post-modernist babe – and seriously talented artist – Carol- Anne Gainer. With her deep penetrating gaze, this sensual and spiritual young artist successfully claimed her own private space in a […]
Mungo Soggot The state tea company has quietly axed its managing director after a disciplinary inquiry headed by a retired high court judge found him guilty of financial impropriety. Sapekoe suspended Mike Cherry three months ago and fired him last week. The low-profile company has clung to its apartheid-era penchant for secrecy and sought to […]
theNet Mukoni T Ratshitanga A Singapore-based agency which sells customers “camouflaged” bank accounts, driver’s licences and college degrees is also selling “Southern African passports and identity documents” on the Internet. The agency, Expat World Special Services, offers in the June edition of its monthly newsletter “an official Southern African Government Immigration Program” which gives permanent […]
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 […]
Ferial Haffajee The bid to challenge the country’s first private television licence hung by a thread this week. The powerful Free to Air consortium has lost the support of Primedia for its court battle, and the industry is speculating that two other shareholders will withdraw their support. Rival bidders for the lucrative licence earlier indicated […]
lift the trophy Andrew Muchineripi World Cup Sick and tired of reading about the brilliant Brazilians? So am I. There are 31 other teams you know, including our beloved Bafana Bafana. It begins next Wednesday evening in Paris when Ronaldo and his mates meet Scotland the Brave and continues until the final on July 12. […]
Phillip Kakaza It’s hard to classify Tony Cox’s music. With his classical guitar background he encompasses a well- textured resonance of blues, rock, jazz and African styles. During his recent Deep Sea Guitar solo show at Jargonelle’s he sailed into high and beautiful notes, revisiting some of his old works and playing some of the […]
sufferers Michael Nurok Forget the apple – if new research proves correct, it will be a pilchard a day that keeps the doctor away. Scientists have been looking at the therapeutic properties of omega-three fatty acids, found in fish oil, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. South Africa’s richest natural source of the substance is […]