Does the Pact crisis spell a larger problem with cultural policy? Charl Blignaut argues that implementation is the real problem ‘If I were to tell you everything that’s going on here at Pact I would be fired and you would receive a promotion,” said a Pact worker to the Mail & Guardian over the phone […]

Ferial Haffajee The government’s new information service buckles down this week to replace the moribund South African Communication Services (Sacs). The two men who will lead the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) are both senior African National Congress brains. Joel Netshitenzhe will head the new- look information system; he currently serves as deputy director-general […]

Alan Gignoux Incredible journeys Vintage railroads left over from colonial times are becoming an increasingly scarce sight in Africa. There is, however, one railroad that continuously beats all the odds: the Xai Xai railroad. This remarkable line has survived civil wars, lack of spare parts and present-day free market changes taking place in now peaceful […]

David Shapshak : Movie of the week Only a Frenchman like Jean-Pierre Jeunet could resurrect the sagging fortunes of the Alien saga. After the dismal showing of Aliens 3, where the special-effects spectacles were the only thing worth noting, Jeunet has come up with a film filled with his particular dark, abject vision, giving it […]

FRIDAY, 6.00PM: AFTER performing comparatively dismally for some weeks, for once gold shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange outpaced the ever record-setting financials. The market was pushed by renewed confidence in Asia and a record-setting day on Wall Street, as well as confidence in an imminent local interest rate cut. The all gold index hurtled […]

Pat McDermott Cricket The nagging thought about the Pakistan team at present embroiled in the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead is whether their captain Rashid Latif really wants to play or not. Again on the sidelines, as he was during the controversy-racked and rain-sodden abortive opening encounter in the three-Test series at the […]

Adam Haupt On stage in Cape Town There is something very ironic about the fact that, in Summer Holiday, our very own obnoxiously heterosexual Boere boy, Steve Hofmeyer, plays a lead role made famous by Cliff Richard, one of Britain’s last remaining ambiguous bachelor boys. A career moment which seems to have set the tone […]

Gillian Dell In your ear What happens when people with a passion for radio are given free rein over a newly independent radio station that many considered little more than a ”volksradio” and way beyond redemption? They take it, remould it and watch it take off. Radio Oranje/OFM, which broadcasts to the traditional backwaters of […]

Charl Blignaut On stage in Johannesburg I was so stunned when I came across an advert billing The Eleventh Commandment as ”risqu” and ”controversial” you could have knocked me down with a latke. We all know that publicists exaggerate, but honestly, The Eleventh Commandment is about as risqu as saying ”poo” to a pre-schooler. If […]