Author Archives: Alexander Matthews
The ANC’s bullying will fail to quash freedom
There has been much gnashing of teeth at the decision made by the editor of City Press, Ferial Haffajee, to remove a photo of Bretty Murray’s The Spear from the newspaper’s website. When it comes to the media, the ANC … Continue reading
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The sheriff rides into town
Anti-corruption activist Andrew Feinstein will soon be in South Africa for the launch of his must read-exposé of the global arms trade, The Shadow World. There will be a number of events in Cape Town and Jo’burg to mark the launch. … Continue reading
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RW Johnson has got it wrong
I have always held RW Johnson’s insights in great regard. However, his latest article is simply a personal agenda masquerading as public analysis. It does not reflect well on him or on his status as a political commentator. His suggestion that … Continue reading
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Polishing turds won’t save our papers
Circulation of English language broadsheets in South Africa is largely in decline. We all know that. But the response hasn’t been to invest in better content. Instead, staff numbers have been slashed, news from elsewhere gets regurgitated and a fixation … Continue reading
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Cowardly big business is failing our democracy
Democracy is an ecosystem. Its survival is dependent on many things: a sound legislative framework, an independent judiciary, a vibrant parliament and a responsive government. Beyond this, it also needs a vigilant, proactive civil society, engaged voters and a free … Continue reading
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UCT’s affirmative action excluding SA’s poor?
Well, that’s what Jonathan Jansen, the vice chancellor of the University of the Free State, seems to think. Click here to read his arguments on the matter, which appeared in the Business Day as part of the Centre for Development … Continue reading
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Mugabe’s cronies: the new colonialists
According to an investigation conducted by ZimOnline, 40% of commercial farmland seized as part of Robert Mugabe’s so-called “land reform” programme is in the possession of the Zanu PF elite — a group of approximately 2200 people. This is a … Continue reading
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Technology’s toxic end
Last week Thursday, Pieter Hugo’s latest body of work — Permanent Error — launched at the Brodie/Stevenson Gallery in downtown Johannesburg. Hugo is one of my favourite photographers. His portraiture captures African lives and stories with a potent blend of … Continue reading
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Cape Town: a culture of complacency?
Last week human rights activist Rhoda Kadalie raised a stink about the abysmal state of the toilets in Cape Town’s City Hall. A contractor was hired in April to renovate them. When she requested a progress report last month senior … Continue reading
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