A tendency for films to celebrate the evil of violence brings censorship closer, argues Reg Rumney AS a writer I feel bound to oppose censorship because I will contest anything that tries to limit artistic expression. As an ordinary person I increasingly favour censorship, particularly of violence. This was distilled for me by Natural Born […]

Rightwingers are blocking the setting up of new local structures in four provinces, reports Justin Pearce WITH the transition to democratic local government battling to stay on schedule, conservatives are attempting to obstruct the process in at least four provinces. White councillors and black chiefs have stalled the establishment of transitional structures in kwaZulu/Natal, the […]

Justin Pearce MORE than 300 candidates who were trained overseas last year with a view to bringing the South African diplomatic corps into the post-apartheid era are still waiting to take up posts with the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is in spite of the fact that the diplomatic corps has been left understaffed by […]

Mondli waka Makhanya FROM Wilmot James’ office in the Cape Town suburb of Rondebosch one can see the gates of the president’s Westbrooke residence. And if one gets there early enough, one can see a procession of ministers and officials exiting from President Nelson Mandela’s legendary early morning meetings. So it is quite apt that […]

EDUCATION: Shattered school windows and poor relationships … PWV MEC for education Mary Metcalfe faces a tough task. But she is not daunted. By Gaye Davis SATURDAY morning at Mapetla Secondary School, Soweto. Parents, teachers, pupils and members of community organisations sit in the stifling heat of the cramped classroom. No one bothers to open […]

CRITICAL CONSUMER Pat Sidley CONSUMERS are being endangered by lights which should not be installed near water, but are being sold to them as bathroom fittings. The manufacturer believes it is not his problem. And some specialist retailers, who ought to know better, are selling the equipment as safe for bathroom use. The South African […]

SENIOR National Union of Metalworkers members are to meet on Saturday to investigate claims of “serious sexual harassment” by two of its delegates during the Cosatu national congress. Numsa general secretary Peter Dantjie said national office- bearers would meet to weigh the allegations. Cosatu’s press officer, Neil Coleman, would not comment on the alleged incident. […]

A blitz on gay-bashing in the South African Police Services is under way. Behind it are Gay Pride marchers — and the police force itself. Mark Gevisser reports POLICE recruits will soon go through a “diversity” programme to train them in sexual orientation awareness. The South African Police Services career-planning department is currently developing a […]

Currie Cup final: Vital roles for Herbert and Le Roux, two pivots with contrasting styles RUGBY: Jon Swift IN THIS weekend’s final throw of the Currie Cup dice in an intriguing season where they have not always fallen in a predictable fashion, one of the oldest arguments in the game of rugby comes under the […]

Mapula Sibanda PIETER MAYISELA was starting to lose hope of ever finding his younger sister, Fikile, who left their rural home in 1991 at the age of 19 to seek her fortune in the cities. “We are a family of 12 and our ageing parents do not work any more,” says Mayisela. “It is customary […]