Litnet

"Human rights observers have pointed out that Meta has been inconsistent in applying its own policies when it comes to, for instance, content related to Palestine, which has reportedly been systematically suppressed. In this regard, Zuckerberg’s positioning of fact-checking as a form of censorship aligns with Elon Musk’s supposed 'free-speech absolutism', which has also been shown to be not only hypocritical, but clearly in favour of interests on the far right of the political spectrum. But most of all, the timing of Meta’s announcement, on the eve of the return of Donald Trump to the White House, strongly suggests that Zuckerberg is currying favour with the new political powers in the US."

"The party’s decision to extend financial support to Zuma, coupled with their simultaneous attacks on Ramaphosa, reflects a growing pattern of opportunism that is rooted in political manoeuvring rather than principled leadership."

"The coin is a book on the psychological stream of consciousness of how to survive in a city that permanently treats you as a foreigner while dealing with its socioeconomic micro-aggressions. It is a short, easy-to-read novel that ticks almost all the boxes for a commercial novel, with quality writing of literary fiction."

"In the context of South Africa in 2025, a production like My fair lady prompts contemporary audiences to reflect on issues of language, identity and gender roles. These are all universal themes that hold relevance and offer valuable insights in a diverse and evolving society like South Africa. We are excited that our graduates get to work in productions with such rich themes and complex characters, where they can hone their craft and also engage with narratives that provoke thought and inspire meaningful dialogue within the African cultural landscape."

Erika Breytenbach will perform the premiere of I can buy myself flowers by multiple award-winning writer, Mike van Graan, at the Drama Factory from 5 to 15 February 2025.

"The arts are alive and well in the Eastern Cape, and if you have not done so yet, now is the time to book tickets for the Mandela Bay Arts Festival, which will run from 21 February to 2 March 2025. We also have beautiful beaches and adorable baby elephants to visit when you are not in theatre!"

After a successful debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, writer and performer Jamie-Lee Money and director Larica Schnell bring their hit play Spin cycles to the Baxter Studio from 19 February to 1 March 2025.

"My decision to render my own body, sexual desires and erotic imagination present in this text is an attempt at making the personal and the sexual legible as political and theoretical in the thinking that I am doing."

"Forget the standard view of politics as left versus right, populist versus traditionalist, politically correct versus, well, just about everything else. That’s all old hat now in our brave new world. Instead, a simplified and much easier way of understanding the times we live in, compared with old school history with boring events and the like, is through something called vibe shifts."

As we move into the busy festive season, aware that this is a challenging time for many, the AVBOB Poetry Project celebrates the work of Stephanie Saunders, a poet whose work gently makes fun of human beings’ desire for power, love and certainty. Her debut collection, Open Stephanie, was published by Peter Slingsby earlier in 2024.

"Over the past few weeks water services in Cradock in the Eastern Cape highlighted the plight of small towns when these services fail. It is reminiscent of a water sector adage that 'the problem is not the pipes; it’s the institutions that manage the pipes'."

"But ultimately what helped me uncover Fairuz and all my characters in general, was working to discover our shared humanity." Trudy van Rooy gesels met Naomi Meyer oor haar rol in die kykNET Silwerskermfees-film Hier.Na, wat vanaf 16 Desember 2024 op DStv BoxOffice vir stroming beskikbaar is.

"Map cards for Africa is basically built on three narrative levels: firstly, the story of Ilze Brüggemann’s reconstruction of a postcard collection, which belonged to her grandmother with the same name; secondly, the clarification of terminology regarding postcards, stamps and maps; and thirdly, a lesson in history and geography, mostly in the South African context."

"Polite society is very much concerned with the appearance of things – how things seem to be – and not how things really are. Therefore, polite society is living a non-reality in real time and making the thing that is not real seem real, and that act of alchemy actually makes a lot of violence that everyone has to be silent about, otherwise the illusion will be destroyed."

Sarah Scrimgeour en Jac Hamman, regisseurs van die animasieprent Tabby McTat, ’n verwerking van Julia Donaldson en Axel Scheffler se gelyknamige prenteboek, gesels met Maryke Roberts: "Oor die algemeen probeer ons om ’n film te maak wat toeganklik is, maar nie afgewater is op enige vlak nie."

The late Hugh Hodge, founder and for many years master of ceremonies at Off the Wall (Cape Town’s longest-running poetry platform), was a master of this form. For many years, he sent a haiku via SMS to his friends almost every day. Although as yet unpublished, they are fondly remembered by those who knew and loved Hugh.

"Who would not be angry? One day, you are descended from royalty; the next day, you are a nobody with absolutely no idea who your parents are."

"Almost everyone in the book, including the unreliable narrator, is delusional in their own unique ways. As the causes of delusion are revealed, we see that at the head of the hydra’s hands of delusion is the greatest delusion this country has ever undertaken: apartheid."

To usher in the summer, the Baxter’s festive season line-up for 2024 features comedy, music and dance with top South African artists, culminating in the hugely popular and exciting New Year’s Eve party on 31 December.