Mail & Guardian reporters The death of former Malawian president Kamuzu Banda invites the following question: who was he really? President Nelson Mandela seemed in two minds this week. Asked for thoughts on the departed despot, he acknowledged that Banda did not “have a very good reputation” because of his support of the old apartheid […]

Thebe is moving to consolidate its position by: * Restructuring of Thebe into six divisions from its present four. The two new divisions will be Thebe Communications, which will include its broadcasting and telecommunication interests (these include Khaya FM radio station, its television bid company Station for the Nation among others) and Thebe Travel and […]

FRIDAY, 2.20PM: WEST INDIES A began their four-day match in Newlands against Western Province with a narrow escape — opening batsman Leon Garrick edged the second ball of the match to the slips, where Eric Simons didn’t quite manage to catch it. But it was Simons who got his revenge not long after, trapping Garrick […]

Charl Blignaut The year-long saga around the alleged financial mismanagement involving the board of the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal (Pact) has continued to spiral. The Mail & Guardian has learned that the board is currently under investigation by the Public Protector. Also under investigation is Pact’s subsidiary Johannesburg theatre, the Windybrow Centre for […]

Eddie Butler : Rugby Before the game against Ireland two weeks ago, Sean Fitzpatrick, perhaps surprised to be above ground and not in the changing room, agreed to do a BBC interview for Grandstand. The captain of the All Blacks, his international career spanning 11 years and 91 caps, was missing his first Test ever […]

Drum magazine agony aunt and executive editor, Liz Khumalo, aka Sis Dolly, in the 15-minute interview. By Charl Blignaut Charl Blignaut: You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to interview you for. I read Dear Dolly every single week. Liz Khumalo: Oh, that’s so good to hear. CB: For how long have you been Sis […]

of life Dying from cancer, Ameen Akhalwaya reflects on a life of pain and gain as a newsman `How are you?” “Up and down – long spells of feeling fine and then sudden pain and discomfort for a couple of hours – I’ve got cancer.” A pregnant silence on the other end of the line. […]

FRIDAY, 10.30AM: AFTER three years in the drafting, government on Thursday released new competition policy guidelines that will see a new watchdog body set up to investigate abuses by powerful corporations. Presenting the new policy guidelines to the National Economic Develpment and Labour Council, Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin said it is hoped the […]

FRIDAY, 8.45AM: SPRINGBOK coach Nick Mallett is aware that South Africa are facing the strongest challenge in their European tour when they meet England at Twickenham on Saturday. He said their 52-10 win over France last weekend means nothing now. “When one side plays so well you have to take the opposition into account. The […]

FRIDAY, 10.30AM: KWAZULU-Natal Finance MEC Ben Ngubane on Thursday told the provincial legislature that the Ulundi government is drafting legislation that will lead to department heads being jailed for spending beyond their budgets. Ngubane said that he also intends setting up a commission of inquiry to establish the reasons for the province’s financial problems and […]