Tony Twine A well-known local economist recently reminded an audience of economists and media writers that participants in currency markets are myopic and have no memory whatsoever. It was less a sideswipe at traders than a reminder that in the heat of trading room battles, the luxury of a cool, calm and holistically collected economic […]
A second Look Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela There are many troubling questions raised by Sipho Seepe’s article (“Where are the so-called leaders?” September 21 to 27), not least the question of the extent to which fear has paralysed those in leadership and silenced them from speaking out against some of the indefensible statements made from the president’s […]
Howard Barrell and Jaspreet Kindra The HIV/Aids epidemic has taken on “shattering dimensions” and now accounts for one-in-four of all deaths, according to the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) report into the virus that has been suppressed by the government. The report, in the opinion of many the most authoritative of its kind into the effects […]
Gregory Mthembu-Salter South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops may be heading for Burundi, despite the absence of a ceasefire in the long-running and bloody civil war. The SANDF troops are likely to form part of a special protection unit (SPU) for Hutu politicians returning from exile to join a new transitional government, scheduled to […]
The world’s media is battling for ringside seats as war looms in Afghanistan. Stefaans Brmmer reports from Dushanbe, Tajikistan The uniform in Hotel Tajikistan is the khaki camera jacket, as worn by gung-ho journalists worldwide. Its proliferation of pockets conveniently stores notebooks, pens and lenses, but also the wads of cash and official passes that […]
analysis Khulekani Mathe Who sets the agenda for Adult Basic Education and Training (Abet) in South Africa? Before 1994 the agenda was set in Pretoria by the National Party government. Underpinned by a theory of uneven development based on racial discrimination, apartheid produced an education system that relegated black people to the bottom of the […]
Evidence wa ka Ngobeni Eastern Cape health MEC Bevan Goqwana has been relieved of his duties following an appearance in court this week on charges of medical aid fraud. Goqwana will, however, continue to draw his monthly salary until his fraud case has been finalised. Land Affairs and Agriculture MEC, Max Mamase, has been appointed […]
Within days of the attack on the United States, women were drooling over Bin Laden BODY LANGUAGE Rehana Rossouw Now that the shock and heartbreak of the attack on the United States has subsided, it seems appropriate to analyse another issue that has triggered heated debate in recent weeks: why some women find Osama bin […]
Suzan Chala South Africa’s freedom fighters won a significant battle recently when an out-of-court settlement secured the pensions that had been due to them since 1996, but had never been paid. Despite its noble language and intentions, the Special Pensions Act of 1996 which paved the way for monthly payments to former members of Umkhonto […]
food Melvyn Minnaar A local fowl expert has landed on the world’s gastronomic stage with his nomination for the Slow Food Award 2001 Special Jury Prize. Noel Honeyborne of Fowls for Africa is the first South African finalist; he was selected from 550 entries worldwide. At a taste-off at the Herbert Baker restaurant in Parktown, […]