Mungo Soggot COMPANIEA VALE DO RIO DOCE (CVRD), Brazil’s most prized state asset, went on sale this week, signalling the start of a major privatisation in which Anglo American has expressed interest. The sale of the CVRD mining group is seen by Brazilian businessmen and academics as a crucial signal that President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, […]

Andy Duffy THE University of Venda has been rocked by allegations of management corruption, attempts to dismiss the academic who blew the whistle, and a strike by staff demanding the vice-chancellor’s resignation. The Public Protector’s Office confirmed this week it is investigating allegations of maladministration, brought by Afrikaans department head Professor Fanie Olivier. The allegations […]

charts The biggest black empowerment deal to date has been finalised. Fay Davids profiles the new board members from labour and industry THE country’s most significant black empowerment deal was completed this week when Johnnic’s 10 new directors were voted in at the annual general meeting, bringing the total board membership to 20. They’re an […]

FINE ART: Dennis Mair ON select Monday nights in Cape Town the stabbing wound of the underground art world throbs independently of the mainstream. Groups of reactors gather to prove that art exists for the appreciation and admiration of others; a little more than the traditional pomp of mere financial gain. On November 18 two […]

Angella Johnson SEVENTY-year-old Hendrik Anderson and his rifle are inseparable. That’s been so ever since, that is, the first attempted robbery at his farm in Mpumalanga six years ago. There have been three attacks since then, the latest on Monday after he left his weapon by the farmhouse door. Anderson was shot, beaten to the […]

Janet Suzman is in Johannesburg to audition local actors for two proposed international theatre tours. She spoke to CHARL BLIGNAUT JANET SUZMAN may have taken a dip at the standard of local theatre management during her recent spell at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, but when it comes to local acting talent she’s positively brimming […]

Investigations into struggle ‘crimes’ may affect Pretoria bomb suspect Helene Passtoors and others, reports Stefaans Brmmer TRANSVAAL Attorney General Jan D’Oliveira’s investigation of ”crimes” committed in the course of the struggle against apartheid may catch up with high-profile foreigners who fought with South Africa’s liberation armies – notably former husband-and-wife team Helene Passtoors and Klaas […]

Stuart Hess SOUTH AFRICA’S first census since the establishment of a fully democratic government looks like it will be a success, say census organisers. An undercount of only 2% is foreseen. With the counting of the nation nearing completion, the preliminary results are expected late in January. The census has not, however, always gone smoothly […]

Andrew Worsdale NODI MURPHY, the ebullient co-director of the Out-In-Africa Bell’s Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, acknowledges that this year’s selection is more mainstream than before. “We’ve learnt our lesson,” she says, downing a robust English breakfast including whisky and espresso at three in the afternoon, “and scaled down the operation. Last year there was […]

Angella Johnson DURING winter months the joints in Percy Stellenberg’s jaw become stiff and sore as if in need of oiling. Come summer time the right side of his face is distorted by massive swelling, and pain continues to be a feature of his daily life. In any season his sense of smell is confused […]