The life and death of Rene by Andre Marias This newspaper headline refers to the rape and murder of my niece Rene, 28 years ago. She was four years old at the time of her death on Xmas Eve, 1986. As is so often the case, she knew her killer and he was known to the...
maybe
Embryos of working-class power and grassroots democracy in Marikana
The formation of a workers' committee is an act of power by the working class. It has shaken capital by advancing far beyond trade union bureaucracy. The workers' committee in Lonmin had only been in existence for a week when the Marikana massacre took place on the 16...
Michael Moseki, strike leader
Michael Moseki, an elected strike leader at Samancor Western Chrome Mine, sits inside his tin shack and talks about the challenges of raising his five children on R4,700 a month. Just like other mine workers, strike leaders at various mines in the North West province...
Film reviews
The Noise of Cairo Director Heiko Lange (2012) This film looks at the explosion of creativity in the 18 days that shook the world in Egypt 2011 and led to the fall of the Mubarak regime. It gives us the perspective of dancers, street musicians, poets, graffiti artists...
What now, now that the bullies have won? | by Jeremy Gordin
Jeremy Gordin's nine points about the ANC, The Spear and City Press 1. Little Story When I was 14 or 15 and had just discovered thoughtful writers such as, for example, George Orwell, and compassionate ones such as Alan Paton, I mentioned to my father that I was being...
Building a true green economy | by Sunita Narain
The world has to reinvent growth as it is costing it the Earth June 5, the World Environment Day, is meant to celebrate the idea of the environment and put it into practice. It is a day to take stock of where we stand and where we should be headed in future. The theme...
Somalia: Failing Responses to a Failed State | by Hiba Zayadin
Somalis have once again found themselves fleeing starvation, drought, and conflict. Thousands of Somalis with washed-out ribs and blown-up empty bellies roam their country in search of aid. According to the UN, 10 million people are currently on the verge of...
Africa: New Economic Crisis on the Way | by Dr Charles Soludo
"It is now clear that the world is slipping -- or has already slipped -- into a new economic downturn, and that this will have serious consequences for the developing countries. Indeed, some prominent economists have warned that this time the crisis will be more...





