Pop/Rock: Malu van Leuuwen IF the name The Springbok Nude Girls conjures up images of nubile strip-artists decked out in cheeky cheerleading outfits in the old green and gold — think again. In fact, the name belongs to an all-male, five- piece band based in Stellenbosch where, in the band’s early days, half their audience […]
Theatre: David Le Page ‘THE (previous) South African government was my faithful scriptwriter,” says Pieter-Dirk Uys in his Truth Commissions (at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre), and his brand of satire has not been left unscathed by its demise. Much of his latest parade of personas, led as always by the inimitable Ms Bezuidenhout, is not […]
Small-scale mining operations find it difficult to tunnel a path into South Africa’s mainstream mining industry, reports Meshack Mabogoane Attempts by small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) to carve a significant niche in the mining and minerals sector are fraught with such minefields that “constructive intervention” by the government may be more necessary to level the […]
Classical Music: Coenraad Visser AFTER the drought, the deluge. For too long was it rare for overseas string quartets to visit South Africa. Then, within a space of three days, two of the leading United Kingdom-based quartets appeared in the Wits Great Hall in Johannesburg. Interestingly, their performing styles could not have contrasted more sharply. […]
Karen Harverson South Africa has the opportunity to leap-frog ahead using other countries’ technology and experience to do things right the first time. “This country should take advantage of California’s advances in environmental issues, computers, communications and electronics,” said California Trade and Commerce Secretary Julie Meier Wright, speaking at the Made in the USA Expo […]
The Boland town of Worcester is as divided as ever.=20 But the local government elections could change all=20 of that, reports Gaye Davis=20 WORCESTER’S Durban Street once drew the line=20 between the Boland town’s white and coloured areas.=20 Now town clerk Neels de Bruyn talks about an=20 “integrated town” — with its black township,=20 Zwelethemba, […]
This year’s national Vita Awards for theatre celebrate the past, argues MATTHEW KROUSE THE FNB Vita National Theatre Awards, like any extended family gathering, pay homage to founding fathers, and stroke their fledglings, encouraging them to follow traditional paths. The 1994/1995 award-winners are testimony to a developing consensus between fundis, audiences and practitioners. Apparently, what […]
A proposed French/South African accord could revitalise the SA film industry, reports TREVOR STEELE TAYLOR FIRST steps have been taken towards a collaboration which could be of resounding importance to South African film. At a symposium in Johannesburg last weekend, organised by the French Institute, plans were mooted for a film treaty between France and […]
Lynda Loxton In today’s world, competitiveness is everything but no company can hope to be in a world class competitive position unless its suppliers deliver on time — and in South Africa that can be a major problem. With 60 percent of its turnover based on exports, Epping-based marine and general engineering company Petrel Engineering […]
Simon Segal Encouraged by declines in the inflation rate and money supply growth, economists are increasingly changing their forecasts and talking about the next movement in the Reserve Bank’s (RB) interest rates being down rather than up. This will herald a decline in the prime and bond rates for the first time since November 1993. […]