Photos of South Africa's national schools debate team wearing keffiyehs and pins with the Palestinian flag fuelled a hurricane of social media hate earlier in August 2014. Mandy de Waal interviewed members of the team and considers what can be learned from that perfect storm.
Mandy de Waal
Analysis | 27 August 2014
In an unequal society, and especially one suffering an economic crisis, the sellers of labour will always be disadvantaged. That is the simple reality of the system in which we live.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 25 August 2014
From Miami’s supercharged Ultra Music festival to Rocking the Daisies, Cape Town has become home to some of the highest grossing music festivals in the country. Our music journalist, Zethu Gqola, takes a look at how, if at all, four of the biggest festivals have benefitted struggling communities in and around Cape Town.
Zethu Gqola
Opinion | 20 August 2014
All who sell their labour in order to survive are workers. And all workers are, to one or other degree, exploited in that they are paid less than the final value of the work they do. Within a profit-driven system it could hardly be otherwise.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 18 August 2014
When the Anti-Land Invasion Unity (ALIU) descended on 40-year-old Sophie Nqiba's shack they destroyed only half of it. Presumably, if the City of Cape Town's own criteria for the demolitions are used, it was the half which was “uncompleted” or “vacant”. For Nqiba, her partner and their five children it is a surreal and meaningless explanation.
Daneel Knoetze
Opinion | 15 August 2014
An eye for an eye and the whole world would be blind, the Mahatma famously said.
Brent Meersman
Opinion | 14 August 2014
“A scab’s charter.” This was one published description of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) when it came into being 19 years ago. Because, although the bulk of the Act was warmly accepted by the labour movement, it contained a clause that seemed to undermine its basic precept.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 12 August 2014
As homophobic discrimination continues to sweep across the African continent, we should be acutely mindful of the diverse ways it harms societies. While we are most aware of the direct effect homophobic physical violence has on sexual minority groups, it is also crucial that we be cognisant of the many insidious ways stigma and discrimination impact not only on sexual minorities but society at large.
Andrew Tucker
Opinion | 11 August 2014
The SA National Roads Agency, already under investigation after the brutal eviction of Lwandle residents from SANRAL land in June, is facing furious residents from six Eastern Cape villages who are adamant they were misled about the new Wild Coast toll road, writes Mzamo Dlamini.
Mzamo Dlamini
Analysis | 8 August 2014
“A scab’s charter.” This was one published description of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) when it came into being 19 years ago. Because, although the bulk of the Act was warmly accepted by the labour movement, it contained a clause that seemed to undermine its basic precept.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 5 August 2014
Nationalise the mines. That is a demand taken up loudly in recent months by the Economic Freedom Fighters. It is a demand long made by many in the labour movement and it has been given added impetus with the Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) deision to dispose of, or close down, some of its older underground mines.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 1 August 2014
Gilad Isaacs makes valid criticisms of Mike Schussler’s arguments on inequality, but he makes a number of mistakes of his own, writes Jeremy Seekings.
Jeremy Seekings
Opinion | 30 July 2014
Ambition without education is like a boat on dry land. Many young learners in Nqutu, KwaZulu Natal know this well. To make sure they realize their dreams everyday they walk for hours to receive an education that may help them have a brighter future.
Sandile Ndlovu
Opinion | 29 July 2014
A recurring line from those trying to dismiss allegations of corruption in the Arms Deal is: “Show us the evidence.”
Anine Kriegler
Analysis | 29 July 2014
After five months of sitting trial, Angy Peter and her husband Isaac Mbadu have yet to receive a verdict. In the process, they’ve racked up over R1.6 million in lawyer fees, according to the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).
Lara Sokoloff
Analysis | 23 July 2014
Popular economist Mike Schussler’s recently published article distorts the available statistical evidence to buttress a bizarre argument.
Gilad Isaacs
Opinion | 22 July 2014