NEWS IN BRIEF The African National Congress this week sought to deny claims that controversial National Intelligence Agency (NIA) operative Thabo Kubu has been working at the party’s headquarters. Kubu, who is facing a prosecution by a closed board of inquiry for irregular activities while in the employ of the NIA, appears to have been […]
In Africa today the suffering is caused from within. Wole Soyinka laments the loss of post-apartheid confidence and calls for stronger UN intervention A wave of anomie, even a breakdown of humanity, is sweeping across the continent that must be particularly galling to those who so confidently trumpeted an “African renaissance”. What we see today […]
Moving beyond play readings, the Kultcha Klub takes on Gladiators, sex and life after death Robert Colman Anyone who’s looking for an intelligent, stimulating and safe one-night stand should try the Wits Downstairs Theatre in Braamfontein – you’ll find a tireless group of artists, who are launching a festival of 10 original South African plays […]
Rupert Neethling A new United States phenomenon called “account aggregation” may well become the web’s next big thing. According to a recent report, account aggregation enables users to monitor their insurance balances, credit cards, bank or brokerage statements and even e-mail accounts at the same time and in the same place. However, before such services […]
Parks Mankahlana CROSSFIRE On Friday June 2, the Mail & Guardian published what was perhaps intended to be a review of the presidency of Thabo Mbeki. The article had nothing to do with Mbeki’s presidency but was rather a graphic display of the deep personal hatred that Howard Barrell has for Thabo Mbeki, the man. […]
Paul Kirk and Jaspreet Kindra The mayor of KwaNongoma, who was slain this week, had been running a protection racket in which he and his associates allegedly beat residents of the KwaZulu- Natal town if they did not pay him R50 a month. The assassination of mayor Bhekuyise Sikhonde, an Inkatha Freedom Party strongman, instantly […]
Howard Barrell OVER A BARREL If you want to risk feeling profoundly depressed – and some people do enjoy a state of hopelessness – then I have a suggestion for you. Go the African National Congress’s website (www.anc.org.za) and read the discussion documents for a meeting of its national general council due to be held […]
Sipho Seepe CROSSFIRE We need a more realistic assessment of President Thabo Mbeki to preempt exaggerated expectations and the inevitability of his failing to meet these. It is time to liberate ourselves of the misconceptions we have of the president, and in so doing liberate the president of the misconceptions he may have of himself. […]
Neal Collins CRICKET Jimmy Adams was 22 yards away when Brian Lara began the innings of 375 which would change both of their lives. Lara’s Test record innings against England at Antigua six years ago started with the hard-working Adams looking on from the non-striker’s end. Their lives have been very, very different since. Jamaican […]
Howard Barrell replies I have difficulty in viewing Parks Mankahlana’s article on my review of Thabo Mbeki’s first year as president as the response of a reasonable person. What criticisms my review contained fell comfortably within the norms of political commentary and debate. The review hardly warranted a response beyond recognition of it as one […]