Andy Duffy The head of African studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has downed tools amid a racially charged dispute over the content of the university’s new foundation programme. Professor Mahmood Mamdani, director of the university’s Centre for African Studies, has withdrawn from the programme. A public seminar has been called on the […]
Andrew Worsdale Switzerland has more banks than dentists. This is one of the trivia I picked up a fortnight ago when I joined a group of fellow South African film-makers to attend the Black Movie Film Festival in Geneva. Strangely, most of the participants where white. I hauled myself there with my old staple Shot […]
M&G reporter Gauteng Premier Mathole Motshekga this week strongly denied spying allegations, accusing the Mail & Guardian of a vendetta against him, the African National Congress and the government. Motshekga’s representative, Makhosini Nkosi, responded in writing. l On the investigation by the Negota inquiry, he said: “To the best of our knowledge, the said commission […]
Brian Wafawarowa Opinion The current crisis in education poses one of the greatest threats ever to long-term development, peace and reconciliation in South Africa. The unheard truths about the atrocities perpetrated against the South African child through the denial of a decent education are as grievous as what has emerged at the truth commission. The […]
Malcolm Hacksley SOLSTICE by Don Maclennan (Snailpress/Scottish Cultural Press, R49) Don Maclennan is intensely respectful towards words, his own and those of others, and uses them remarkably sparingly. The subjects and ideas in these poems call forth a spontaneous response, but the Maclennan response is rigorous in its self-control. Perhaps it is true that “songs […]
Bongani Siqoko Soccer Orlando Pirates midfield sensation Steve “Chippa” Lekoelea could see his childhood dreams become a reality this year. Lekoelea, who is gunning for a place in the Bafana Bafana squad to take part in the World Cup finals in France, could also land a contract with Dutch football giants PSV Eidenhoven. “When my […]
There are an estimated 7,5-million illiterate adults in South Africa, but the number of adults who are poorly educated and ill-equipped to participate in our economy is much higher. But even for those who can, there is little to read. The recent Department of Education policy document and the multi-year plans released by the department’s […]
Richard Williams: Movie of the week It has all the virtues of a classic British costume drama. A dead-on sense of period. Clothes so exquisite they make you want to go shopping. What a surprise, then, that we emerge from The Wings of the Dove thinking mostly about sex. Sex and Henry James? Hardly the […]
On the World Day of the Book, April 23, readers, authors, publishers, librarians and booksellers all over the world will pay tribute to the most successful artefact ever invented -the book. This year, Exclusive Books is providing two opportunities for the public to participate in the book day act of giving. Firstly, you are invited […]
Ferial Haffajee The cocktail of a showbiz doyenne, an African princess and a struggle lawyer can only yield interesting results. This combination has seen African Media Entertainment (AME) cause quite a stir on the stock exchange and in the entertainment and film industries. From their offices at the MTN Sundome outside Johannesburg, David Dison (AME’s […]