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News & Views by Terry Bell
I have seen the future & it frightens me
The automated future is upon us — and it works. But only at the expense of the majority of people who have to sell their labour in order to survive. Yet, if properly managed, such technological innovation could liberate humanity.
Posted in: Inside Labour Column
Floods & tides also threaten London
September 13, 2017
If the river Thames burst its banks in London, the results could be devastating, adding another concern to the already economically weakened UK. And there are indications that the great mechanical barrier erected in 1983 may prove inadequate.
Posted in: Environment
A hat, a kayak & dreams of Dar
September 6, 2017
Finally, after 50 years, the story of the chaotic, haphazard attempt by a hopelessly ill prepared couple to paddle a 5metre kayak from London to Dar es Salaam. Published in South Africa next month as A hat, a kayak & dreams of Dar.
Posted in: Reports abroad
As Brexit looms, London’s migrants keep building
September 6, 2017
Immigrant Irish “navvies” (labourers) are credited with much of the construction work of the last century that made London the city it is today. And now once again, it is the sweated labour of migrant workers that is changing the face of Britain's capital.
Posted in: Inside Labour Column
Spectre of Marikana still looms large
August 17, 2017
The bloody spectre of of the Marikana massacre continues to loom large over the politics of South Africa, for all the evident attempts to push it into the background. And the calls for justice, not only for the families of the dead and the injured of Marikana but for mining communities generally will only grow louder.
Posted in: Uncategorized
Iqbal Survé: a fantasist lashes out again
August 4, 2017
That “other Mandela doctor” — putative media tycoon Iqbal Survé — is at it again. Survé who once professed to have been the personal physician to Nelson Mandela, surfaced with another diatribe last week which did nothing to answer the questions about his various fantastic claims to fame and fortune.
Posted in: Commentary
Back to a messier present
August 4, 2017
In many ways the relationship between members of the governing, ANC-led alliance and the unions that stand in opposition is, on one level, an apparent repeat of the situation that existed 30 and more years ago when internal "workerists" were opposed by the exiled ANC alliance.
Posted in: Inside Labour Column
Statistics, labour & a no-confidence vote in Zuma
July 28, 2017
There is nothing sinister in the delay in the release of the South African Labour Forces Survey for the second quarter of this year. But it's crucial look at unemployment and income decline is likely to be swamped by media concentration on the no-confidence vote in parliament.
Posted in: Inside Labour Column
Terry Bell Writes 
September 23, 2017
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