Robert Kirby Channel vision I grew wary of the SABC’s motives in broadcasting the now notorious documentary on Sierra Leone after they had given the umpteenth advance warning about the programme: “It includes graphic scenes of extreme physical violence … will be offensive to sensitive viewers … blindfold the children.” In yet another grimy departure […]

Throughout the world Dirk Coetzee is credited with blowing the whistle on Vlakplaas, but the secret police unit’s activities were first revealed by Almond Nofemela to a fellow inmate on death row. Gomolemo Mokae spoke to Sibusiso Masuku about his role in the affair It is not difficult to get to the home of former […]

Behind the obfuscatory officialese of the government’s new taxi programme there lies a carefully worked-out strategy aimed at transforming every facet of the unruly industry. Among the strategic objectives of the new taxi deal are: l to take control of taxi ranks run as private fiefdoms by particular associations and warlords to the detriment of […]

Bob Woolmer FROM THE PAVILION The one-day triangular series featuring South Africa, England and Zimbabwe is coming to its climax. The hosts are expected to win; they are the favourites. The team has changed again (Dale Benkenstein, who had been promised an extended run, got two games!), and it won’t be long before the team […]

>From films to soundtracks to piano recitals, Ryuichi Sakamoto has fingers in all sorts of pies – and every one of them seems to taste delicious. Except Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, writes Michael Quinn Pop star, actor, classical musician, opera composer, world music pioneer, techno innovator, Academy Award winner and, yes, mustn’t forget, fashion model […]

Adam Haupt Capoeira, Brazil’s beefy martial arts form, has an interesting history that takes one into Brazil’s colonial past. Its movements evoke its people’s African origins. Given its place in the history of the “new world”, it’s odd that two Swedes – Paul Blomgren and Billy Malm – are in South Africa to “re-introduce” this […]

Brenda Atkinson MIXED MEDIA I saw the new Nedbank TV commercial again the other night. Not having grasped the crux of this ad before, I hopefully scrutinised each frame, waiting for the clue that would tie up this skillfully crafted mystery of a small black child leading a blind old white man towards a new […]

FORMER Correctional Services commissioner Khulekani Sitole has withdrawn his Labour Court application to be reinstated. Correctional Services spokesman Russel Mamabolo said on Thursday afternoon that Sitole “has done so unconditionally”. “There will be no Labour Court case on this matter on Friday,” Mamabolo said in Pretoria. Sitole is expected to comment more fully on the […]

ZIMBABWE shot to top of the one-day triangular series standings, after beating South Africa by one run at Kingsmead on Wednesday. SA have fallen to the bottom spot. (P W L Tied No result Pts Run rate) Zimbabwe 4, 2, 2, 0, 0, 4, + 0.11 England 4, 2, 2, 0, 0, 4, + 0.03 […]

BARRY STREEK, Cape Town | Friday 11.00am PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki expressed bullish views about the state of the South African economy when he addressed Parliament this morning and announced the formation of an International Investment Council that includes George Soros and Tony O’Reilly, the head of Independent Newspapers. He also hinted that further steps to […]