There is a political tradition followed in some parts of the world which has it that a newly elected political leader should be given 100 days – a “honeymoon” period – in which to find his or her feet in office before being subjected to media and opposition criticism. Thabo Mbeki has already been occupying […]

THURSDAY, 12.15PM: THE South Africans at Wimbledon had mixed fortunes on Wednesday, with ninth-seed Amanda Coetzer, David Nainkin and Grant Stafford being shut out of the tournament. Wayne Ferreira, Mariaan de Swardt and Surina de Beer managed to win their matches and go through to the second round. Coetzer was looking a tad dodgy on […]

TWO journalists in Malawi have been charged with inciting mutiny over a report on elections held last week, court sources said Thursday. Editor Horace Somanje and reporter Mabvuto Banda of the opposition newspaper the Malawi News pleaded not guilty to the charge Wednesday and were released on bail. The trial is expected to begin sometime […]

Wonder Hlongwa A taxi driver from Pinetown in KwaZulu- Natal claims he was arrested, handcuffed to a chair for seven hours, assaulted and suffocated after he reported to police that his minibus was stolen. Three weeks ago, the minibus Mthokozisi Mwelase (26) drives was stolen outside his home. He reported the theft at the Marianhill […]

Shaun de Waal Big-budget movie of the week `See it again!” the Star Wars faithful are urging each other on the Net. “It gets better!” This is partly to ensure that Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace breaks Titanic’s record, but also to help them get over the disappointment of the first viewing. Disappointment […]

The best show at the National Arts Festival this year will be on TV. Alex Dodd spoke to Christo Doherty, the force behind Cue- TV Most people over 25 who decide to relocate to Grahamstown are in downshifting mode. The idea is to settle down and enjoy a few more good novels. Not so for […]

Review of the week Brenda Atkinson The art of design in South Africa has blossomed post-1994, nurtured by increased access to international production, and radically influenced by the aesthetics of digital technologies. You might still detest Simunye or any other of the SABC’s cheesy nation-building strategies, but you have to concede that their brand-building has […]

Riaan Wolmarans There are few things as irritating as seeing a suburban housewife sing the praises of the newest super-duper washing powder (“My husband is a mechanic …”) or hearing about the latest waist-slimming, brain-numbing exercise belt-cum-vibrator (order now and get this stylish set of porcelain ducks for free). Thankfully the ad industry does manage […]

The G8 nations have pledged a $100-billion debt relief package. Gary Younge reports from Mozambique, one of the first countries in line for such relief. Julius Nyerere Avenue in Maputo starts on the shores of the Indian Ocean and runs in a more-or-less straight line towards apparent prosperity. The road stretches past the palatial Polana […]

Riaan Wolmarans You’d better shape up, you’d better not cry, you’d better go shop, I’m telling you why … Tidy Trax is coming to town. Yep, the amazingly successful United Kingdom dance label launches an aural attack on our local rave floors at the weekend’s Mother rave, taking place in Cape Town on Friday June […]