Michelle Matthews ‘Die mees sentrale fi-guur in ons volk se geskiedenis is Paul Kruger. Egter nie slegs man van die verlede nie, hy is ook en wel, bowe alles, man van die toekoms. Soek in die verlede, so het hy ges, dit wat goed en skoon is, en bou daarop jou toekoms,” intones DF Malan […]

Peter Dickson A University of Fort Hare commission of inquiry has found evidence of misconduct by former vice-chancellor Professor Mbulelo Mzamane and his deputy for academic affairs, Professor Ntobeko Maqhashalala. Acting vice-chancellor Professor Derrick Swartz said this week that the two academics had been suspended by the university and would face disciplinary action. The move […]

Cameron Duodu LETTER FROM THE NORTH The news that American farmers have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Monsanto, for introducing “potentially dangerous genetically modified (GM) seeds to world markets without adequate testing”, couldn’t have come at a better time. Following so hot on the heels of the “Battle of Seattle”, the lawsuit signals that the […]

democracy SERGEANT AT THE BAR Politicians do not like limits placed upon their power. They have a vision, whether fuelled by greed or

Channel vision As any year draws to a close it is usual for columns, such as this one, to be devoted to retrospection. What was the best and worst television of the past year? Fortunately such solemn assessments will not be my responsibility this year. This is because my various deep moles in the halls […]

Peter Dickson Eastern Cape Premier Makhenkesi Stofile has hijacked the appointment of mayors in an effort to strengthen support for the African National Congress ahead of next year’s local government elections. Stofile has given himself the right to pick all the province’s mayors, a task that has traditionally been left to local councils. The move […]

Take part in the 2000 FNB Vita Art Prize nominations. The often controversial competition was introduced in 1996 in response to the need for wider acknowledgement of South Africa contemporary art. Put yourself in line to win a holiday for two, to a local destination, by nominating any artist countrywide for the FNB Art Prize. […]

Police Commissioner George Fivaz may not have been telling the whole truth when he branded Deon Mostert a liar, report Ivor Powell and Marianne Merten Deon Mostert, the man National Police Commissioner George Fivaz branded a “chronic liar”, passed a lie-detector test administered by police counter-intelligence less than six months ago. Mostert, detained last week […]

Marianne Merten Urban terror is proving a boon for personal injury lawyers in Cape Town. This week, a group of policemen lodged a civil claim for almost R500E000 against People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) for injuries the officers claim they sustained in a clash three years ago. The officers were wounded at the end […]

Steven Friedman WORM’S EYE VIEW Sometimes principle is more of a paying proposition than pragmatism. The welcome afforded Ethiopia’s former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and the Dalai Lama’s frosty reception have focused attention again on principle (or lack of it) in our foreign policy. For some, being nice to dictators and dictatorships is a small […]