I am pleased that the Mail & Guardian regarded the recent disbanding of the Medicines Control Council (MCC) as sufficiently important to run as a cover story (“Zuma shuts down health watchdog”, March 27 to April 2). As a medical practitioner, I’d appreciate the opportunity to convey my anger and disillusionment at the outcome of […]

Poet, novelist and critic Lionel Abrahams is one of the most influential figures in South African literature. Mark Gevisser pays tribute to him on the occasion of his 70th birthday There is something transformative about a first encounter with Lionel Abrahams. At the outset, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by his extreme physical […]

Bog bodies are an archaeologist’s dream come true. They can bring history alive more than any old document. But now, exploitation of the preservative peat in which they are found stands to rob us of this crucial link, writes Michael Pitts Given that he was an archaeologist, you wouldn’t think he’d have needed a drink. […]

Andy Capostagno Rugby It has been a mixed week for teams who wear blue. Last Saturday morning the Auckland Blues lost 33-18 to a rejuvenated Queensland Reds line-up in the Super 12. In the afternoon the once-proud Blue Bulls plumbed the depths as they went down 57-27 to the Natal Wildebeests in the Vodacom Cup. […]

There may be something to the conspiracy theories surrounding the crash of the Rietbok 30 years ago, writes Mike Loewe South Africa’s oldest aviation mystery, the ”disappearance” of South African Airways’s Rietbok, took a new turn this week when a prominent left-wing historian revealed that one of the victims on board, Audrey Rosenthal, was working […]

Lizeka Mda: CITY LIMITS Drive east along Marcia Avenue towards Bruma Lake. At the intersection of Derrick Avenue, turn left and blink. You could be forgiven for thinking you had been transported to China. The Chinese signs jump at you from both sides of the street. Apart from the video shop, the fast-food chicken outlet, […]

MONDAY, 12.45PM: SOUTH Africa, firing on all cylinders, made a meal of the Sri Lankan batting to beat the tourists by 57 runs in a triangular series match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. South African skipper Hansie Cronje won the toss and elected to bat, sending in Mike Rindel and Gary Kirsten to […]

Charlene Smith A retrenchment package will often be the largest lump sum a person ever receives and the temptation is to spend all the money, hoping tomorrow will take care of itself. Each year employees contribute R27-billion to retirement funds – and those who lose their jobs rarely make sensible re-investment decisions. Hermie Rossouw, regional […]