Shakespeare meets Frank N Furter in Fred Abrahamse’s sci-fi musical at the Baxter. MARC DEVENISH reports RETURN to the Forbidden Planet, the intergalactic funfair that has bounced on to the Baxter Theatre stage in Cape Town, has been performed in 16 countries, from London’s West End to Norway, Alaska and Australia. It has even been […]

Klaus von Lieres, ex-Wits attorney general and now KwaMakhutha trial defence counsel, in THE MARK GEVISSER PROFILE OI’M glad,” said one particularly laconic senior counsel after the opening of the Trial of the Generals in Durban last week, “to see that Klaus is feeling a little better.” The comment was a reference to the fact […]

Research into teacher training has revealed that the system is not making the grade, writes Philippa Garson THE first national teacher education audit to be conducted in South Africa has uncovered an alarmingly inadequate teacher education system in need of fundamental restructuring. Results of the audit, released this week, show that the quality of teacher […]

Mehlo Mvelase MELCHIZEDEC ZAKHELE “MZ” KHUMALO — the alleged link man between Inkatha and the paramilitary unit at the centre of the Malan murder trial — has a long history of doing propaganda work for Pretoria. The Mail & Guardian has established that Khumalo — the Malan trial’s “accused number 7” and the alleged middleman […]

It appears that South Africa has chosen relations with Taiwan over mainland China to repay an ANC debt, reports Gaye Davis PRESIDENT Nelson Mandela has cited a $10- million donation from the Republic of China on Taiwan for the African National Congress’ general election campaign as one reason South Africa would not break ties with […]

With help from big business, an Mpumalanga community has improved its educational lot, writes Rowan Callaghan THE dank cell-like rooms of the former mine hostel still have rusty bunks stacked against the wall and the old coal stove still occupies centre stage on the cold cement floor. Listen carefully and you may just hear the […]

Strong medicine, negotiated by all stakeholders, has been prescribed to salvage the taxi industry, reports Karen Harverson THE embattled taxi industry may be on the road to recovery following the interim report of the National Taxi Task Team (NTTT) which was presented to Transport Minister Mac Maharaj The report’s recommendations — which could cost the […]

Philippa Garson THE crisis at Wits University around suspended deputy vice-chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba has taken on national proportions as direct ministerial intervention becomes increasingly Yesterday Minister Sibusiso Bengu met with vice-chancellor Robert Charlton and other university stakeholders in an attempt to put the brakes on Wits’ rollercoaster ride into disaster. Political squabbles have now erupted […]

The power sector has come under the spotlight lately and is an issue of major concern for sub-Saharan countries, reports Meshack Mabogoane ATTEMPTS to restructure parastatals in the sub-continent have been the focus of fundamental discussions recently. Two conferences, addressing this issue and setting scenarios for market-related developments and economic changes, have been held in […]