to our cousins Scientist George Schaller wrote of gorillas: “The eyes have a language of their own – being subtle and of emotion that in no other visible way affects the expressions of the animal. I could see hesitation and uneasiness, curiosity and boldness and annoyance.” He believed it was impossible to observe other species, […]

Whichever way you look at it, the Africa Caf’s print ads are destined to get into people’s nose hairs.Art director Ivan Johnson and copywriter Kyle Cockerane had designs on the “politically incorrect and cheeky” with their series of ads. The ad which has raised the most hackles is one which reads: “We still serve white […]

John Aglionby in Jakarta The future of the Indonesian economy hung in the balance this week as President Suharto refused to adhere to conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Suharto is risking the termination of the IMF lending programme as he continues to draw fire from the institution for establishing a currency […]

Lizeka Mda: CITY LIMITS In Diagonal Street shopkeepers give a good impression of being eager for your custom. None of the sulky reception here, nor the grudging service that one often gets in the fancier stores. “Come in and see,” touts urge from surprisingly – for Johannesburg – uncluttered pavements. And if you should be […]

Arguing about the rights and wrongs of cloning humans ignores the fact that it’s not technically possible at present, writes David Shapshak Sensationalising human cloning ignores the simple fact that, at the moment, it cannot be done. Claims last weekend that South Africa was ready to start cloning humans have not only been met with […]

Wally Mbhele Former minister of law and order Adriaan Vlok will be called to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s amnesty hearing of 10 security policemen who claim they are responsible for the chilling murder of prominent anti-apartheid activist Stanza Bopape. TRC sources this week could not confirm if Judge Louis Harms – who […]

Mukoni T Ratshitanga and Wally Mbhele Former Brixton murder and robbery squad head Charlie Landman blew up his official vehicle in 1993 to create the false impression that he was being intimidated, the Pretoria High Court heard this week. But former Civil Co-operation Bureau operative Ferdi Barnard is facing the music alone for the blast, […]

8The Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) financial index looks set to defy gravity. Neither currency turmoil in the Far East, fears of overheating American markets, nor fluctuating hopes of an interest rate cut seem to dampen its lively spirit. Dealers say the major problem is that the financial sector is being driven by speculation, hope and […]

Andy Duffy The Independent Development Trust (IDT) has uncovered an alleged R2-million fraud involving two staffers and an employee of the agency’s auditing firm, Deloitte & Touche. The staffers, who helped administer funds for development projects across the country, allegedly signed cheques for themselves. The Deloitte & Touche official, seconded to the agency as a […]

THURSDAY, 5.00PM: Windhoek Observer editor Hannes Smith was granted R1000 bail after appealing his prison sentence for contempt of court in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday morning. Smith, 64, was jailed last Friday on contempt of court charges, after failing to produce documents potentially vital to the second inquest into the death of assassinated […]