the struggle Denis Herbstein Attempts to render the lives of solicitors more exciting than they actually are should be viewed with scepticism. But for Martin Bayer, who has died of a heart attack at the age of 66, the term “supporter of revolutionaries” would not be out of place. One of the few people who […]

Ferial Haffajee The Independent Newspaper Groups ambitious transformation programme has been dealt a blow by labour protests against its plans. All four trade unions at the groups flagship Gauteng Newspapers have resigned from the regional affirmative action monitoring committee. Sparked by a disputed appointment in the advertising department, the row has grown. Now staff allege […]

Adam Haupt spoke to musician and world traveller DLow about his new album and his boempies hairstyle Many people in Portlands, Mitchells Plain, know the R&B singer DLow (Deen Louw) as the organiser of the Rhyme Unit Feed the Needy feeding scheme, which serves many people in the area. However, his two identities are not […]

Jewish mysticism is the latest Hollywood fad, writes Emma Forrest The idea of the body beautiful being hackneyed beyond belief, celebrities are now going for the soul. Movie stars have reached such infinities of wealth and fame that their films are largely irrelevant. So they have to be known for something else. Lisa Marie Presley […]

David Shapshak joins the Mail & Guardian as technology editor, overseeing the new Frontiers section, which will cover cutting-edge developments in information technology, the Internet, science and technology. He was seduced from a news reporting position at the South African Press Association. Belinda Beresford (above left) joins us as Smartmoney editor, after a baptism of […]

Duncan McKay The discovery of 13 vials containing human growth hormone in the luggage of a Chinese swimmer as she passed through Perth customs on her way to the World Swimming Championships is another indication of extensive drug abuse in China. The Chinese have been accused of taking drugs since their women won 13 out […]

Hard Livings, but the living is easy Alex Duval Smith Hard Livings gang leader Rashied Staggie’s favoured hood-wear of the moment is a bright orange cap that he wears slightly set back on the head to reveal the green- coloured underside of its visor. This, reflected in the gold-rimmed mirror sunglasses which are perpetually perched […]

Steve Morris : Rugby We are barely a month away from the start of another round of Super 12 and a season which surely spells the end of the age of innocence for this country in a game which has mirrored the South African condition of blending the cutting edge of excellence with the desperate […]

Robert Kirby : Loose cannon If you’ve kept your finger on the pulse, you will have been as delighted as I was to see that torturous old South African racism has at last taken a refreshing turn for the worse. Like many pernicious things in our history, racism has always had a tendency to flourish […]

THURSDAY, 12.00NOON: MAKHAYA NTINI may make history on Friday at The Waca. If Ntini gets the nod to play he will be the first black player to represent South Africa in a fully fledged one-day international. Ntini, who has played in first class matches on the tour, will probably play against New Zealand in order […]