While House Republicans thwart Democratic efforts to pass an increase in the minimum wage, their natural allies – business groups – are divided on the issue and seem much more willing to compromise. The National Federation of Independent Businesses, the largest small-business organisation in the United States, mounted aggressive opposition to a wage hike proposal […]
Eddie Koch A new batch of secret documents handed to court in the Malan murder trial last week, provide a rare glimpse into the workings of the State Security Council (SSC) set up to co- ordinate the National Party’s “total strategy” against insurrection in the 1980s. Apart from the light they shed on the military’s […]
Julian Drew ONE judoka, six cyclists and 18 track and field athletes were added to the Olympic team for Atlanta at an announcement by the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa) in Johannesburg on Thursday. The only surprise among the new team members was the omission of race walker Chris Britz. He was a […]
As SABC’s radio division prepares for a major relaunch, staffers complain of burgeoning bureaucracy. Philippa Garson reports THE departure of three senior SABC radio executives could not have happened at a worse time for the government broadcaster’s radio division. Set to relaunch itself amid ongoing internal problems and looming competition from independent radio stations, the […]
COENRAAD VISSER on the eagerly awaited premiere of Roelof Temmingh’s first piano concerto First performances of new orchestral works by South African composers are, unfortunately, so rare that any first performance is quite an event – the more so when the new work is substantial, not merely a brief introduction played at the start of […]
John M. Goshko at the UN A move by the United States to pay some of its back dues will keep the United Nations from plunging into the deep financial abyss that senior UN officials had anticipated during 1996. But the US will remain the UN’s biggest debtor, and the world body still will have […]
Anger over racist teachers and the department’s failure to provide English- language classes sparked the Vryburg riots, reports Justin Pearce Policemen were everywhere in Vryburg on Tuesday. Casspirs rumbled through the streets of the quiet farming town, and coils of razor wire surrounded the local Education Department office. Armed with shotguns and assault rifles, a […]
The good form of Natal and Northern Transvaal and the demise of Transvaal point to changes in the national team RUGBY: Jon Swift THERE was, for new national coach Andre Markgraaff, something of the old good news, bad news cliche in the way Natal took Transvaal apart in the Workers Day Super 12 mauling at […]
The SABC is considering commissioning a business programme from Times Media Limited. Is this a poor reflection of the broadcaster’s own economics desk? Jacquie Golding-Duffy reports The SABC, with no immediate plans to develop its own business show, is considering commissioning a new business programme from Times Media Limited (TML), whose Business Day Tonight contract […]
Hugo Young in Washington THE United States bestrides the world, but the colossus is bewildered. She doesn’t know where to fix her gaze. Her responsibility has never been more solitary, but her attitude never more uncertain. In the Middle East, and Asia, and Europe, other outside powers count for little. But nor, often, does the […]