Stuart Hess THE Gauteng health department could save R1-billion if it accepts cost-cutting proposals made by health workers’ unions, including centralising services, eliminating private nursing in public hospitals, and scrapping private security, the unions said this week. The figure is almost double the R550- million the Gauteng health department said it could save when it […]

South African artists continue to exist in a cultural vacuum that gives too little recognition too late, writes Hazel Friedman THERE is an ancient Greek proverb that says the soul of a nation will be judged by the way it treats its artists. If this is so, then South Africa has much to answer for. […]

Ann Eveleth THE creation this week of black-owned Khulani Springbok Patrols consummates a long-standing relationship between the Inkatha Freedom Party and a 35-year-old family security business. Security industry sources said this week the sale by the Bartmann family of a R50- million interest in Springbok Patrols to IFP-aligned Khulani Holdings – and the appointment of […]

Mungo Soggot THE foreign merchant banks handed the contract to help sell a R6-billion chunk of Telkom have secured government agreement that their fees, to be paid by the taxpayer, remain under wraps. The Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Ministry this week refused to disclose how much money was paid to SBC Warburg, which was employed […]

Jim Day THE knife in his hand was a good 15cm long. But he was pleasant when he said, “I don’t want to hurt you. Just give me your money.” His buddies surrounded me, four or five of them, pulled me back and to the ground and started grabbing at my pockets. They didn’t beat […]

This week at the world indoor championships in Paris another male bastion fell. Duncan Mackay tells the unfinished story of pride and prejudice WOMEN are allowed to serve in the armed services, pilot aeroplanes and run the country. But they are still considered too fragile to compete in some athletics events. Ever since Baron Pierre […]

As we speed towards the new millennium, popular culture is being invaded by psychoses, conspiracies, warnings of digital chaos – and little grey creatures. In our heads and on our TV screens we are watching the invasion. Believe. Dror Eyal GREYISH skin, elongated oval head and huge wraparound eyes. It’s an image that heralds the […]

Trevor Manuel’s finest hour: a selection of gut responses on the first Budget devised by an ANC minister NATIONAL PARTY: ”The budget demonstrates shocking insensitivity towards the agricultural and forestry sectors of the economy.” ”The budget demonstrates a shocking insensitivity towards individuals in the middle and higher-income groups.” The NP said it was shocked by […]

play Stefaans Brmmer AN independent pathologist is to probe the possibility of foul play in this week’s car accident death of Leonard Radu – the police assistant commissioner who was touted to succeed National Commissioner George Fivaz. Radu, the most senior former African National Congress cadre in the South African Police Service (SAPS), died early […]

Jane Campion’s been called the best female director in the world. What’s female got to do with it asks LIZZIE FRANCKE finds out what inspires the film-maker A COUPLE of years ago, a film magazine described Jane Campion as ”unquestionably New Zealand’s top woman director”. It was meant to be a compliment. At the time […]