John Sutherland George Lucas’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, which was released in South Africa this week, generated so much hype worldwide there was bound to be a backlash. One character, Jar Jar Binks, a computer-birthed frogboy, has been indicted of that most heinous culture crime: racist stereotyping. Jar Jar (created on screen by “animatics”) […]
Shaun Harris Taking Stock The latest, long-awaited interest rate cut should have us all ecstatic. The drop in prime and home-loan lending rates from 19% to 18% certainly seemed to please some people, typically those commentators who herald every rate cut, drop in inflation and rise in gross domestic product as the dawn of a […]
Loose cannon Robert Kirby There’s an ancient Australian proverb which runs: “By his piss-up mates shall you know your neighbour best.” Attributed to Dunny the Elder, the wisdom of the saying is self-evident. This appealing fragment of Antipodean social philosophy came rushing to mind when I read in last Sunday’s newspapers that among the host […]
Andrew Muchineripi Soccer It is just as well national soccer coach Trott Moloto is a reserved and very patient man otherwise he might be tempted to dish out a few “southern suburbs kisses” to certain members of the mainstream media. While this humble member of the Muchineripi clan is certainly not suggesting Bra Trott is […]
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 […]