TRADITIONAL leaders called for land restitution claims to be considered from 1652 instead of 1913 at the conference of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa in Midrand last weekend. Contralesa president Chief Phathekile Holomisa also expressed concern over the only-partial political freedom guaranteed traditional leaders in the interim constitution. “It denies chiefs their […]

Hardliners in the IFP are planning to quit government and strengthen their majority in kwaZulu/Natal, writes Farouk Chothia A SPECIAL Inkatha Freedom Party conference early next year will consider a plan by party hardliners to quit the government of national unity (GNU) and play the role of a Westminster-styled opposition party, IFP insiders revealed this […]

A new health scheme favoured by the government is likely to prove hugely popular. Pat Sidley reports THE government is actively investigating a national health insurance plan which would, if implemented, revolutionise the country’s health system and provide the funds for basic health care to all citizens. Three options are under consideration. The Weekly Mail […]

Has the Big Top got smaller, or have we just got bigger? Mark Gevisser took a nostalgic trip to the circus `IT’S just not what it used to be,” said a man, an unimpressed toddler in the crook of each arm, as he left the tatty confines of the rather modest Little Top that is […]

# Danceworks, Principia, Patrol — Steve Martland Band/Smith Quartet (Catalyst) The new-music label Catalyst has had far more misses than hits so far, but these three pieces by Steve Martland provide a very good introduction to his musical world, which treads a canny course along the borders of minimalism, rock and jazz. Like his teacher, […]

A secret memo to the cabinet promotes the `sensible’ operations at the Thor Chemicals toxic waste plant in Natal. Eddie Koch reports THE Department of Environment Affairs has sent a secret memorandum to the cabinet saying the Thor Chemicals toxic waste plant in Natal is doing “sound” work — though a commission set up by […]

Jeremy Cronin, SACP leader,writes that the ANC cannot sit back and enjoy its honeymoon AT least three complex dynamics will be at play in the ANC’s conference. The first, the leadership issue has, rather tediously, been the focus of considerable media attention. Emerging out of three decades of illegality, the ANC has had to develop […]

Kader Asmal, water affairs and forestry minister, sets out the formidable challenges facing the ANC THERE are two powerful messages that Bloemfontein can give the nation over the next week. First, the ANC conference can confirm that the ANC is the natural party of government; second, it can be demonstrated that all South Africans are […]

THEATRE: Robert Greig Janice Honeyman’s Jukebox Jol (at the Civic Theatre, Johannesburg) reflects more than it says. It reflects the existence of much musical talent and creative vigour but little structure or sense. Christmas is, of course, the season of licensed blandness, and this one concludes a year noticeable for its theatrical dullness. The demise […]

Critical Consumer Pat Sidley MOST South African consumers had a magnificent year. The disenfranchised majority acquired and used that precious commodity — a vote — and got the government they wanted. This government in turn often proved more responsive to consumer needs than the last lot. Its interventions ranged from keeping the maize price at […]