The media are less than honest in their statements to the truth commission regarding their role in apartheid, argues Guy Berger NEARLY nobody noticed when FWde Klerk told the truth commission last year that government disinformation “could have created a climate” allowing for gross human rights violations to occur. This surprise admission stands in contrast […]

‘WE believe Afrikaner/ Boere reporters should stand together. We all have a common goal of self-determination and as the media we can disseminate our information to the Afrikaner people and exert a great influence,” says Henk van der Graaf, chair of Die Mediaklub – the group officially formed about two weeks ago in reaction, it […]

TEN lucky readers of the Mail &Guardian – and their partners – can get to see a preview of Anthony Mingella’s film of The English Patient, which received an impressive 12 Oscar nominations, before everyone else. Based on Michael Ondaatje’s Booker Prize-winning novel, the film stars Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas. The preview will […]

John le Carre is credited by some with originating one of the most powerful analytical tools since sod’s law: the explanation of human endeavour and its frustration in terms of the conspiracy and the cock-up theories. It is perhaps time it was brought to bear on South Africa’s most critical problem: crime. Over recent months […]

Marion Edmunds THE government is to investigate importing Cuban teachers to shore up the state school service. Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu said this week he planned to go to Cuba later this month to look at the country’s maths and science teachers. He dismissed suggestions that the government’s redeployment programme – where state teachers were […]

Three former editors have distanced themselves from the submission by Independent Newspapers to the truth commission, reports Jacquie Golding-Duffy EX-EDITORS of the former Argus Company, the new management at Independent Newspapers and journalists are involved in a heated debate regarding the Independent group’s submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In an extraordinary move, […]

What exactly is South Africa doing in its new, state-of-the-art Antarctic research base? Lesley Cowling reports PICTURES of Antarctica show a pristine wonderland: stunning white snow and poster- blue seas, penguins in their zoot suits, the wildest cleanest place on earth. But it’s also the coldest, windiest place on earth. In winter there’s no light, […]

Iden Wetherell in Harare PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe this week led a high-powered team to London to drum up investment in Zimbabwe’s faltering economy. Government sources in Harare have been upbeat about the interest shown by British companies. But it remains to be seen whether this will translate into money and jobs. Investment is vital to […]

Stuart Hess and Mungo Soggot finally got to see the report that caused all the trouble THE dossier which prompted a government inquiry into rugby and this week’s high court battle between rugby supremo Louis Luyt and Sports Minister Steve Tshwete contains little more than press clippings and court papers. Documents handed to Tshwete by […]