Johnny Masilela Now that the censorship restrictions of the old order are no more, are South African writers tackling political issues with vigour? No. As they emerge from the influence of the so-called language boards, which directly or otherwise restricted South African writing in the African languages, our new writing is not necessarily about politics. […]
David Shapshak The South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) can retain the Springbok emblem, but it will have little significance if the National Sports Council revokes Sarfu’s national representation, says council president Mluleki George. “They can use it if they want, but not on behalf of South Africa. It can only be a national emblem […]
Doctors at Johannesburg General hospital allegedly refused to examine a dying paraplegic patient, writes Angella Johnson A wheelchair-bound teenager died after he was found sitting in his excrement in the emergency waiting room at Johannesburg General hospital. He had spent four days there waiting to be examined for abdominal and chest pains. Petrus Ndlovu (19) […]
FRIDAY, 1.45PM: THE new “Get Tough” policy of the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee was demonstrated first hand to Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday night, as they were fined R77500 on two counts of bringing the League into disrepute. The club has to pay R52500 within 30 days after admitting to both charges against them. Chiefs […]
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 […]
Lizeka Mdacity limits To create room for visitors to her home, Noluthando Mrasi takes out a bucket filled with soiled diapers and a laundry basket. Then she pronounces the place ready. It isn’t really. You step in and then don’t know where to go, and step out again. Mrasi’s 3m-by-2m shack is home to her […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]