One element lacking in the current debates about what is going on in Cosatu is any sense of recent history. Because there is nothing really new in the current spate of political bloodletting, in the bitterness and the backstabbing. The rationale behind the suspension of Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the resignation this week […]
May 30, 2013
“Confusion hath made his masterpiece.” That Shakespearian quote sums up the statements, comments, reports and machinations surrounding the latest episode of the ANC-Alliance soap opera.
December 13, 2012
The tortuous road to the governing ANC’s centennial conference at Mangaung ends next week. And, not to put too fine a point on it, much of the country is gatvol with the route it has taken and where it has arrived.
July 13, 2012
The latest row over a "genital" cartoon of South Africa's President Jcob Zuma reveals an unwillingness to accept that respect has to be earned and that individuals, especially those in high office who behave in a manner contrary to the norms of society, lose respect and become legitimate targets for satire.
July 7, 2012
First we had the Spear, a painting by Brett Murray. Now we have the Dick, a cartoon by Jonathan — Zapiro — Shapiro. And this satire of a genital nature has, in both cases, caused the same polarised reaction: support or amused indifference on one side; expressions of outrage on the other.
June 3, 2012
Her is a contribution to a better understanding of the row over the satirical artwork, The Spear, that has dominated discourse in South Africa over recent weeks.
December 9, 2011
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.
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.
November 28, 2013
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