Nicky Barker The Campaign for St Lucia was reactivated at a meeting in Durban last Sunday, amid fears that Richards Bay Minerals may be reconsidering mining in the area. In the early 1990s, the campaign co- ordinated the largest single petition ever compiled in this country, leading to the scrapping of plans to mine titanium. […]

rats from torture Alternative methods of drug testing could save animals from experimentation. Danny Penman reports Two weeks ago at an Aids meeting in Johannesburg, watchers were so horrified by film of animal tests of a new herbal immune system booster that they demanded the screening be halted. But European Commission scientists in Italy have […]

SATURDAY Soccer: Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns in the Rothmans Cup final on SABC1 at 3pm Rugby: Springboks vs England on M-Net at 4pm

centre Wonder Hlongwa Controversial Durban businessman Vivian Reddy, who was suspected of being the mysterious Sarafina II donor, has once again attracted attention for his generosity. Last week he announced an “eight digit” contribution to the Curries Fountain Stadium Sports Development Centre. The Mail & Guardian has learnt that Afrisun, a company in which Reddy […]

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 […]

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 […]

Stakeholders pass the buck and the blame for local content malaise, writes Glynis O’Hara Local contempt for local content. This accusation sparked quite a debate at last week’s Durban pow-wow on the state of local content on our airwaves. All parties – from Cabinet ministers, the SABC, M-Net, performers, technicians, community radio to record companies […]

FRIDAY, 4.00PM: The soldier who removed the landmine intended to blow up Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s armoured Mercedes Benz (see below) said it was not powerful enough to penetrate the car’s armour. Lance Corporal John Manunure told the treason trial of opposition leader Ndabaningi Sithole that the claymore mine was an anti-personnel mine. While it […]

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 […]

evil In an extract from his book, Into the Heart of Darkness, journalist Jacques Pauw describes his meeting with Paul van Vuuren, whose only regrets were that he lost the war, was exposed and had to confess It is Sunday lunch on the farm “Drooglaagte” west of Warmbaths in the Northern Transvaal bushveld. The burly, […]