In SA, as in most of Africa, a struggle of epic proportions has been raging between the “haves” and “have-nots”, this in a world where we are told no-one owes anyone anything. It is a dangerous world because the “haves” have much and are few and the “have-nots” lack much and are plentiful. It has…
When Harrison Ford starred in The Fugitive, who would have thought subsequent adaptations of that motion picture would feature the likes of Sadaam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and now, the brother leader himself, Muammar Gadaffi? With each sequel, the plot thickens. On closer reflection however, it would appear that the ever elusive fugitive is not…
There is a story of a candle that caused a conflagration which incinerated a celebrated war hero in a house that could well have been fire-proof. It is a story full of intrigue. It is a story that over the past week has been told in hushed tones; a story that delves into the macabre…
Apparently, Bingu wa Mutharika is not the learned fellow we all thought he is. An economist by training, Malawi’s once highly esteemed president has shown himself to be anything but the bright spark we tend to ascribe to holders of PhD degrees in Development Economics. It is a dubious distinction, I am told. In any…
Today, many a young American found a new spring in their step. It is the bouncy step of patriotism and sheer euphoria. Seventy-two hours before it was their president who strode with purpose on the White House red carpet to deliver a bombshell of an announcement — the death of Osama bin Laden. President Barack…
Luis Moreno-Ocampo is a hero for many in Kenya. For others, he represents the worst manifestation of the West’s holier-than-thou attitude towards Africa (this notwithstanding the fact that Ocampo is an Argentinian by origin). There isn’t a shadow of doubt that this famous prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a man who holds…
It has been a long time coming. Many thought it would never arrive. But slowly, the seers of our time have started confirming it. The long awaited African Century is finally here and it has announced its arrival with a series of revolutions in the Arab section of the continent. The African Century is a…
If a sliver of South Africa’s future can be glimpsed through the prism of the current public-service protests, then the future should be delayed indefinitely. The unchecked culture of irresponsible protests has been allowed to grow into a soulless monster, ready to incite anarchy and we should all be afraid. Much has been said about…
You are probably corrupt. Here is why. In the last 12 months you probably have done one of the following. You probably have, on at least one occasion, bribed a traffic cop who pulled you over for speeding. You had no qualms parting with a facilitation fee to a driving instructor in return for a…
You are probably corrupt. Here is why. In the last twelve months you probably have done one of the following. You probably have, on more than one occasion, bribed a traffic cop who pulled you over for speeding. You had no qualms parting with a facilitation fee (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-12-getting-a-licence-can-drive-you-to-corruption) to a driving instructor in return for…
