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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All Posts published in »2011«
SA govt decisions sow union discord
The South African government’s latest moves directed, ostensibly, at combating corruption and maladministration have sown considerable confusion, distrust and suspicion in sections of the trade union movement.
When the mainstream meets Marx
December 2, 2011
When the well-known mainstream economist Nourial Roubini, a former adviser to the International Monetary Fund, quoted Karl Marx as perhaps being right about an inherent fault in the economic system, he caused a minor stir, but no real criticism. Because the inherent fault is one that is now generally acknowledged and is at the centre of the present — and ongoing — global economic crisis.
Aurora’s golden greed and liability hopes
December 2, 2011
Arrogance, incompetence and greed may have demolished the protection of limited liability for the politically well connected directors of South Africa’s controversial Aurora Empowerment Systems. They may now have to pay out of their personal fortunes for the heavy debts and losses incurred in a controversial gold mining venture.
ANC concern follows Zambian poll victory
December 2, 2011
The victory of the Patriotic Front in Zambia’s recent election has sent more than a frisson of concern through South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC). It has heightened an awareness among ANC politicians that they may not be in power forever.
Humbug, festivities and financial education
December 2, 2011
Given te dehpth of indebtedness into which many working class people seem certain to be be cast in the new year, it is tempting to emulate Dickers' Scrooge and say, "Bah! Humbug" about the looming season of supposed togetherness and happiness. But then there are developments that that are certainly not humbug and that illustrate something better.
Xmas bells ring in profit — and deeper debt
November 26, 2011
The measures taken to to get the tills of the towns of South Africa ringing for a profitable Xmas season, are similar to those that led, via the sub-prime mortgage debacle in the United States, to the current and ongoing global crisis. This is based on short-term thinking and the extension of unsustainable credit.
A call to resist the secrecy law
November 21, 2011
November 22, 2011, has been dubbed “Black Tuesday” in South Africa. This is the day the Protection of State Information Bill went before parliament on its way to being rubber stamped into a law that all principled journalists worth their salt will do everything to circumvent. And, courtesy of the nature of the internet, they will be able to do so.
Another pre-school fairy story?
November 17, 2011
National planning minister Trevor Manuel and his commission consider early childhood development (ECD) and pre-school education vital to the future development of South Africa. However, the 20-year National Development Plan (NDP) released this week by Manuel does not even define ECD or pre-school education, let alone how it should be implemented, where, when and by whom. So the fear across the education sector is that the NDP may be yet another case of “just talking the talk”.
Terry Bell Writes 
December 9, 2011
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