Mukoni T Ratshitanga Allegations of corruption have been levelled against Khayalethu Home Loans (KHL), a subsidiary of the South African Housing Trust charged with arranging low- cost housing loans. KHL is chaired by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki’s special adviser, Frank Chikane. It has been alleged that KHL paid more than R300 000 for one year’s […]

Andrew Muchineripi : Soccer Developments during the opening days of the new year suggest that South Africa could soon have the best administered and worst attended national championship on the continent. Let us begin with the good news that the sponsors of the Castle Premiership have increased the prize money this season to R3,5-million, give […]

Ferial Haffajee Gender commissioner and renowned Muslim cleric Faried Esack has been given state protection after a series of death threats from the supporters of the renegade community station Radio Islam. Members of VIP protection services provide 24-hour security to the man who serves as acting head of the Commission for Gender Equality. “I have […]

Alan Gignoux explains why 30 families prefer uneasy exile to post-apartheid South Africa `Most people are here because they thought South Africa was going to burn. I am here because it did not,” said a newcomer to South Africa’s 30-family community in Caaguazu, eastern Paraguay. “De Klerk sold out his country”; “We did not even […]

Ferial Haffajee The Independent Newspaper Groups ambitious transformation programme has been dealt a blow by labour protests against its plans. All four trade unions at the groups flagship Gauteng Newspapers have resigned from the regional affirmative action monitoring committee. Sparked by a disputed appointment in the advertising department, the row has grown. Now staff allege […]

Steve Morris : Rugby We are barely a month away from the start of another round of Super 12 and a season which surely spells the end of the age of innocence for this country in a game which has mirrored the South African condition of blending the cutting edge of excellence with the desperate […]

Duncan McKay The discovery of 13 vials containing human growth hormone in the luggage of a Chinese swimmer as she passed through Perth customs on her way to the World Swimming Championships is another indication of extensive drug abuse in China. The Chinese have been accused of taking drugs since their women won 13 out […]

Hard Livings, but the living is easy Alex Duval Smith Hard Livings gang leader Rashied Staggie’s favoured hood-wear of the moment is a bright orange cap that he wears slightly set back on the head to reveal the green- coloured underside of its visor. This, reflected in the gold-rimmed mirror sunglasses which are perpetually perched […]

Robert Kirby : Loose cannon If you’ve kept your finger on the pulse, you will have been as delighted as I was to see that torturous old South African racism has at last taken a refreshing turn for the worse. Like many pernicious things in our history, racism has always had a tendency to flourish […]

THURSDAY, 12.30PM: TWO penalty tries given against the Northern Bulls cost them the match against Welsh champs Swansea on Wednesday night. The game, which was played on Swansea’s home turf and was decided in driving rain, was frequently interrupted for a total of 22 penalties — 18 going against the Bulls. Springbok scrumhalf Dan van […]