Andrew Worsdale IN an impassioned oral presentation to the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), members of the newly formed Independent Producer’s Organisation discussed the viable options for a new “free-to-air” channel. The organisation responded to the IBA’s discussion paper on the channel, honing in on local content and independent production, programming contributions, language, employment equity and […]
Draft legislation proposed by the law commission recommends legalising euthanasia, reports Gustav Thiel THE first steps have been taken toward legislation allowing South African doctors to end the lives of the terminally ill. A discussion document by the South African Law Commission, released to the Mail & Guardian, recommends new legislation allowing so-called passive euthanasia […]
The pilot programme to spearhead land reform has fallen flat, with most provinces spending only a fraction of the budgets set aside for this purpose. Jim Day reports THE government programme set up two years ago to spearhead land redistribution has failed to hand over more than a few acres to the landless. Figures from […]
Ian Katz THE “orgasmatrons” of Woody Allen’s imagination may some day become a reality, thanks to United States scientists who claim to have found the chemical that produces the female sexual climax. The researchers, from prestigious Rutgers University, say they have identified the so-called neurotransmitter that causes the sensation of orgasm in the brains of […]
Marion Edmunds THE African National Congress is to decide at its December conference where the seat of Parliament will be located, say government sources. This could be one of the hottest debates at the national conference, scheduled to take place in Mafikeng, North-West province, just before Christmas. The ANC is said to be divided on […]
Marion Edmunds A CAPE TOWN seamstress has accused Gerald Morkel, MEC for police in the Western Cape, of selling her a structurally unsound house which is falling apart. Gwennie Booth said she bought the house in Mariner Road, Heathfield, from Morkel in a private deal in 1991. Morkel is one of the National Party’s foremost […]
Suddenly, everyone in Zaire’s second- biggest city is cursing President Sese Seko Mobutu, reports Chris McGreal in Lubumbashi REBELS seized Zaire’s second-largest city, Lubumbashi, on Wednesday to be greeted by tumultuous applause as hordes of people welcomed them as liberators. The fall of the city left President Mobutu Sese Seko scrambling to retain what is […]
Graham Hopwood in Windhoek NAMIBIAN President Sam Nujoma has given his clearest signal yet that he will stand for a third term as head of state, despite the fact that the Constitution limits the incumbent to two terms. He told Parliament last week: “I am still young and if the people of Namibia want me […]
Businessman Strive Masiyiwa was all set to introduce Zimbabwe’s first cellphone network when the government stepped in. Jan Raath reports from Harare STRIVE MASIYIWA says it is fair comment that his conversion to born-again Christianity coincided roughly with an offer he could not refuse from two political heavyweights in Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu party. A Cabinet […]
Madeleine Wackernagel REAL men don’t drink beer anymore – at least not in the quantities they used to. Nowadays even lager louts appreciate a fresher taste. That’s the message from HP Bulmer, Britain’s biggest and oldest cider manufacturer, which is bringing its premium brand, Scrumpy Jack, to the South African market. Available initially only on […]