Stuart Hess THE crackdown on rate defaulters which triggered riots earlier this month in Johannesburg’s coloured suburbs is to restart next week. The decision – announced by the Southern Metropolitan Substructure (SMSS) – coincided with the launch of a commission of inquiry into the riots in Eldorado Park, Westbury and Reiger Park, which left four […]

Nineties 1991 World Cup quarter-final: October 19, Parc des Princes France 10 England 19 England were on France’s patch. The atmosphere was highly charged. “It was the most ferocious, brutal match I have played in,” wrote England hooker Brian Moore. “It was the reason I play the game. It was the ultimate feeling of being […]

In cutting university subsidies in the current manner, the ANC is reneging on its election promises, argues University of Natal philosophy professor Daniel Herwitz As an American academic recently arrived from California, I wish to speak out decisively against the funding formula put in place by the Ministry of Education this year. In the name […]

He was the target of the boo brigade when he played in the under-23 team, now George Koumantarakis is the top scorer in the Premiership SOCCER: Andrew Muchineripi THERE was more than a touch of irony surrounding the fact that Milpark Stadium was the setting last weekend for one of the finest goals scored by […]

Jacquie Golding-Duffy reports on the far- ranging cuts a top US consultancy has suggested for the SABC THESABC has been advised to axe nearly 1 000 staff and to cut R200-million from the cost of its radio and support services. Two confidential reports by top United States company McKinsey Consultants detail cost-cutting measures ranging from […]

The two sides of Zaire’s civil war have agreed tentatively to talk for the first time, reports Chris McGreal ZAIRE’S rebel leader, Laurent Kabila, says direct negotiations with the government could soon be possible following his meeting with President Nelson Mandela this week. But Kabila ruled out an early ceasefire in the five-month civil war […]

Initially banned, the movie Kids finally opens in South Africa this Friday. Our critics offer their views on the film’s bold director and its young star Charl Blignaut SUNDAY night and Sandton Cinema 8 is packed. The tall, thin film-maker stands up front, having been called up to introduce his movie, apparently uneasy in front […]

Several of Zimbabwe’s top politicians – probably including Robert Mugabe – knew that former Zimbabwean president Canaan Banana was repeatedly abusing his aide-de- camp, reports Jan Raath in Harare IN 1981, Zimbabwe passed a law which made it an offence to ridicule Canaan Sodindo Banana, then the president. It ended a rash of jokes, like […]

Three French musketeers are all advocating a return to traditional Gallic flair and ‘le jeu du mouvement’ in the Five Nations battle against England RUGBY: Mick Cleary IT WAS a matchmaker’s dream: England versus France, the clash of two cultures, the collision of opposites. The English, all method, planning, order, sang-froid set against the wide-ranging, […]

ANDRE WIESNER speaks to a wannabe Presley in Graceland, Cape Town By day he’s the owner of the Sea Point Taxi Association, but by night Ernest MacDonald dons a glittering white suit and wraparound shades and takes to the stage of his newly opened rock’n’ roll restaurant, Graceland, as his coffin-dodging idol and alter ego, […]