Meshack Mabogoane reports on the political and racial issues that have arisen as the African Bank closes its doors The closure of the African Bank (AB), pioneering black financial institution, has sparked off racial emotions, political heat and personal anguish. The AB has been more than just a business venture; its symbolic value — reflected […]

THE Attorney General of KwaZulu-Natal, Tim McNally, is suing the Mail & Guardian for R250 000 over reports published last month detailing criticism of his handling of investigations into hit squad activities. McNally, charging that the reports “cut at the very heart of his reputation and dignity”, has demanded publication of a “complete, unconditional and […]

Richard Calland THE consortium of management consultants hired by Parliament to investigate restructuring, at a cost of almost half a million rand, is racked by internal tensions, accusations against one partner of previous failures to deliver and the defection of a respected team member. The South African firm of Kenneth Mgqamqo & Associates joined forces […]

The supreme court this week heard the heart-wrenching case of a mother suing her gynaecologist for allowing her extremely ill baby to be born. Pat Sidley and Annicia Reddiar report ‘THEY placed Alexandra on my tummy after the birth. Then a sister grabbed her and quickly took her to the furthest side of the room. […]

Professor Trance is coming to South Africa to teach us the healing power of trance dancing. SHAUN DE WAAL spoke to him FRANK NATALE, otherwise known as Professor Trance, is not the first to note the echo of ancient ritual in today’s dance culture. Rock-concert-goers, clubbers and ravers are engaging in a collective activity not […]

Social conditions in South Africa are ripe for an increase in serial killings, reports Justin Pearce Serial killing is one of South Africa’s fastest growing hobbies. Police psychologist Micki Pistorius, who has compiled a psychological profile of the Atteridgeville strangler, says half of known serial killings in South Africa have occurred in the past five […]

Gaye Davis THE rumblings began almost as soon as the survey teams hit the=20 cobblestones in the Parliamentary precinct. It was, said Dr Mamphela Ramphele, director of Idasa=D5s Public Information= Centre (PIC), a historic opportunity for MPs and senators to prove they=20 were really as transparent and accessible to the electorate as they claimed= to […]

Shaun de Waal NEIL YOUNG: Mirror Ball (Warner Bros) ON this magnificent album, the godfather of grunge teams up with some of=20 his godchildren, namely Pearl Jam. Less eccentric than last year=D5s Sleeps= with Angels, this is deceptively simple rock=D5n=D5roll exactly as it shoul= d be=20 =D1 three-chord-wonders (one after another), tangled in Young=D5s wailing,= […]

The whites of the old Rhodesia used to take particular pride in the heroic= saga of the Shangane river patrol =D1 a police detachment which was=20 surrounded and massacred by the Matabele impis of Lobengula, singing=20 God Save the Queen as they died.=20 Some years ago, a historian created a furious controversy when he=20 suggested […]

With a draft Bill banning almost all child labour about to be presented to= the Cabinet, trainee journalist Fumane Diseko posed as a child labourer,=20 and ended up being fired without pay Fumane Diseko It is 6.30 in the morning at a petrol station in Leandra. More than 35 peop= stuff themselves into the back […]