The Electoral Court’s latest decision to allow Jacob Zuma to stand as a candidate in the upcoming election has many commentators – eParkeni being no exception – eating humble pie. Not only is the former president having the last laugh, he is also adding to his lored streak as the ‘Teflon president,’ all of five …
Under normal circumstances the Independent Electoral Commission’s announcement that effectively disqualified Jacob Zuma of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) from standing as a candidate in the 29 May elections would’ve been a non-issue. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya had hardly switched on the microphone when the country knew exactly what was coming. And the entire thing …
As SA commemorated the Sharpville Massacre this Thursday, many at Robert Sobukwe’s hometown were up in arms over a seemingly trivial issue: the Pan-African Congress leader’s given name. Born into a working class family in Graaff-Reinet, Sobukwe’s early life was the standard township hardscrabble. Despite these travails, he completed school, ultimately enrolling at the South …
Name Change or Just Tenderpreneurship by Another Name Read More »
In person Mr Jeffrey Rademeyer’s voice is more disarming than the clerical tone it takes on over the phone. He also stands taller than the Facebook photos let on. So when he rises to address a Colesberg heritage dialogue / legacy project session at the N1 government building on Human Rights Day, those gathered listen …
A Possible Heritage Project in the Works for Colesberg Read More »
Dear reader, finally, I found him! Urbane in loose black pants, a nylon shirt and sky-blue tie on a slow Sunday morning, he, like many who were walking the streets, my offhanded assumption was that he was just on his way to church. Which was true, partly anyway; just another devout believer off to commune …
Following pointed swipes at incumbent president Cyril Ramaphosa, former national boss Thabo Mbeki has recently undergone a startling change of heart. A surprising Damascus moment for a man who is usually known to stick to his guns and summarily fire – or klap – those who would challenge his smarts, or the top job he …
In media parlance they call it silly season, which last week reached a crescendo in a desperate swansong before the Constitutional Court. BOSA, Mmusi Maimane’s opaque party – or is it a movement? as well as the Rivonia Circle – in a bid to ease the requisites for participation in this year’s ballot were unceremoniously …
Unimportant Speculation on Manifestos and Coalitions Read More »
It is exactly the description proffered in cultural magazines. An animal skin is draped on the wall, a bamboo mat is set in deep, handmade potions line the wooden shelves and liquor – bottles of it – are splayed out on the linoleum floor. In thick dreadlocks Lihle Matebese, a ward councillor by occupation but …
Sangomas, Witch doctors, The Karoo is Home to All Read More »
Broach the cadre deployment topic even with acquaintances, I’ve found, and expect either an anticlimactic ‘agreeing to disagree’ or to simply lose a friend. Best not to go there. Also, it tends to come with a pervasive affinity to the ‘winner-takes-all’ mentality, which holds that by virtue of clinching a majority vote, the ANC enjoys …
Dear Comrade President His Excellency Bra Cyril Ramaphosa. It is with great offence – by no means directed at you, Mr President, more than the sourgrapes who would dare speak ill of our Commander in Chief – that I labour at this missive. Thanks to their incorrigible slander I’ve been chain-smoking through the ganja plot …
