Alison Motluk A simple skin patch might soon help psychiatrists identify people with schizophrenia – a diagnosis that can be very difficult to make. The developers of the test also hope that it will help sufferers accept that they need medication. The “niacin skin flush test” consists of a plastic strip bearing squares of absorbent […]

A powerful lobby is fighting for free commercial speech, writes Hazel Friedman Graham Langmead is an unashamed fag hater. But if there is one thing he hates more than fags it is any attempt to ban advertising them. And while he believes breast is best, he virulently opposes restrictions on advertising substitutes. Just in case […]

Why should the conservation fraternity be let off the hook, asks Farieda Khan In recent months we have witnessed the spheres of medicine and journalism being placed under the spotlight of the truth commission. If editors have to answer accusations of collusion and silence when confronted by the excesses of apartheid, and medical authorities have […]

Glynis O’Hara Tom Hark is one of those South African classic songs that simply won’t lie down and go away. Recorded by Elias and His Zig Zag Jive Flutes in the 1950s, it became a huge hit. It was played by big bands well into the 1960s; used as a theme song for a British […]

FRIDAY, 10.00AM: Bankers Capital Alliance have bought Decimax, days after the derivative traders lost R30-million in the stock market crash. In the R80-million deal, Decimax management’s holdings have been cut from 65% to 30%, with Capital Alliance in control of the balance. Financial services firm Theta sold its 35% stake to Capital Alliance for R30-million […]

THURSDAY, 3:30PM: SWAPO has found itself in a legal row with Namibia’s Electoral Commission — because it has lost the local elections in Rundu by failing to submit its candidates list in time. Swapo has asked for a court interdict tomorrow (Friday) preventing the Electoral Commission from eliminating the party from the final list of […]

THURSDAY, 10.00AM: THE Department of Public Works announced yesterday that it was to be streamlined to less than half its size over the next five years. However, its community-based public works programme would be extended for at least 15 years. At the launch of a white paper on public works, Minister Jeff Radebe said that […]

THURSDAY, 10.30AM: A DRAFT white paper covering affirmative action in government requires the public service to have 50% black managers and 30% women by 1999. At present 38% of managers are black and 11% of middle to senior managers are women. Although 79% of public servants are black, only 38% at the level of director […]

PRIVATE JAILS PARLIAMENT has unanimously approved a bill which allows for ‘privatised’ prisons, which are built and run by the private sector at a set fee per prisoner. Correctional Services Minister Dr Sipo Mzimela said Cabinet had approved four pilot projects, which were in the process of being put to tender. The Bill also provides […]

THURSDAY, 9.20AM: THE Italian national rugby coach George Coste believes that Springbok line-out giants Krynauw Otto and Mark Andrews will be the match winners on Saturday when Italy host South Africa in Bologna. “We have always had problems at lock. In Italy we don’t have the same height or bulk as South Africa,” said the […]