Robert Kirby : Loose Cannon Squinting down from my ivory tower of white privilege, I am wont to say just how encouraged I am to be called a snobbish elitist, hardly distinguishable from a khaki-clad Neanderthal. What’s more, called all these names by someone who knows exactly what he’s talking about. And no, this column […]
Alan Henry : Formula One Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard crushed the opposition for the second time in a month as their McLaren-Mercedes cars sauntered to an unchallenged one-two in the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday. McLaren’s domination of this second round of the championship, without the benefit of their controversial secondary braking system, was […]
Wally Mbhele, Stefaans Brmmer and Carlos Cardoso The military “disinformation” report handed to President Nelson Mandela in February and the arrest of Robert McBride have backfired on old-guard remnants within the country’s security forces whom the government believes could have been involved in a huge destabilisation campaign against the democratic order. It appears increasingly likely […]
Ronald Suresh Roberts : Crossfire In an unprecedented and conspicuously fact-free attack on the personal integrity of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki (“A short leap to dictatorship”, March 27 to April 2), Lizeka Mda explicitly elevates what she herself calls “urban legend”, “rumours” and “perception” to the realm of serious political analysis. To her, Mbeki is […]
Dawood Dithato International tributes poured in this week for President Ketumile Masire of Botswana, who resigned this week before his term of office ended. After 18 years as head of state, Masire ducked out of office as his party began to face the challenge of preparing for its toughest election battle next year. The tributes […]
Andy Duffy The University of the Transkei (Unitra) is to embark on a massive reshape involving widespread job losses after a drop in its government funding. Management plans include rebuilding and streamlining the university’s academic programme, merging operations, farming out non-core activities and cutting staff perks such as housing allowances. The proposals follow a large […]
For the time being, war-torn Sierra Leone has no standing army of its own. But Chief Sam Hinka Norman, reappointed as deputy minister of defence, says he has other forces to call on. “If you point your rifle at me, you may believe it, it will not strike me,” he says. “When all this is […]
Charlene Smith A retrenchment package will often be the largest lump sum a person ever receives and the temptation is to spend all the money, hoping tomorrow will take care of itself. Each year employees contribute R27-billion to retirement funds – and those who lose their jobs rarely make sensible re-investment decisions. Hermie Rossouw, regional […]
Dror Eyal The dust is blowing in from the east. Sand clouds that whip the air, flay my skin, sting in my eyes. Dust in each breath I swallow, grit grating between teeth, sticking in my throat. Dust in my food, dust in my beer. Winds blowing up a storm in front of the main […]
Stefaans Brmmer Mininster of Safety and Security Sydney Mufamadi has shrugged off murder claims against Superintendent Lappies Labuschagne, the member of the police team investigating Robert McBride – but now Mufamadi faces civil action for the death of one of Labuschagne’s alleged victims. Mufamadi and police Deputy Commissioner Zolisa Lavisa have resisted calls for Labuschagne’s […]