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/ 2 November 2004

The struggle to communicate

By all appearances, the property looks like any other in the affluent neighbourhood of Parktown West, Johannesburg. But once inside the reception area of the house, the multitude of pictures and photos packed on every wall suggests that this is no ordinary house.

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/ 2 November 2004

An almost politics-free column

This week the world finds out how seriously the United States neocons want to play, with election fraud and the removal of democracy in the US, and using the Orwellian-like "war on terror" excuse with the CIA-created "al-Qaeda" construct, en route to war in Iran, Africa, South America and ultimately China. (There you have the next decade in world politics, en route to World War III, mapped out in one sentence.)

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/ 2 November 2004

Radio programme reaches out to rebels

Johny Lacambel, a local radio presenter, offers his two guests some soda before asking the tall dark male with an amputated limb to lead in prayers as the programme begins. The trice-weekly <i>Dwog Paco</i>, the local Acholi language for "come back home," is credited with touching many hearts and convincing a number of Ugandan rebels to surrender.

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/ 2 November 2004

Mbeki and Smith both got it wrong

Statistics, in and of themselves make for boring conversation and dull reading. Yet they leap to volatile, political life when used to make arguments about race and violence, sex and death — as the angry exchanges between President Thabo Mbeki, anti-rape activist Charlene Smith and the Democratic Alliance’s Ryan Coetzee demonstrate. These debates are important for the questions they raise, argues Lisa Vetten.

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/ 2 November 2004

SAP, but definitely no service

The South African Police Service (SAPS) code of ethics assures the public: "We will, at all times, perform our duties to the best of our abilities. Our conduct and appearance will be proof of our commitment to service excellence." Police stations have been renamed "service centres" — apparently in an attempt to provide a more humane, friendly service to the public. But has anything at the SAPS stations changed apart from the name?

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/ 2 November 2004

Finance charter: Work in progress

A year ago, possibly the most important of the black economic empowerment charters was signed — the Financial Services Charter. M&G editor Ferial Haffajee moderated a debate between the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals president Kennedy Bungane and black economic empowerment analyst Duma Gqubule to assess progress one year later.

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/ 2 November 2004

Singh’s ride toward riches and glory

The mayor wanted a picture with him. The owner of the local National Football League team wanted a word with him. Civic leaders simply wanted to shake his hand. Vijay Singh was the star attraction on Monday at a PGA Tour luncheon. It was another example of just how far the 41-year-old Fijian has come.