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Compassionate donkey epic peers deep into the modern world’s soul
2023-09-19"The 84-year-old Skolimowski (himself a peer of Bresson and Godard) manages to breathe fierce and impressionistic new life into a sacred cinematic treasure by updating Bresson’s transcendental fable for our current cultural climate. He achieves this in both the form and the matching content of his masterful new film."
Electrons do not read Das Kapital
2023-09-14Malegapuru Makgoba tells Freek Robinson why De Ruyter was the right person to lead Eskom, and he names the ministers who play political games with Eskom instead of supporting those who understand what needs to be done.
Chuma Sopotela talks about her role in the stage adaptation of Damon Galgut's The promise
2023-09-13"I have never been a houseworker, but I can relate to the character – from part of my responsibilities as an artist and performer – as a “space holder”: someone who holds space for people, either in grief or distress, or just in enabling them to be themselves and being able to thrive."
Everyday Shakespeare: Lines for life by Ben and David Crystal: a book review
2023-09-12"I couldn’t put this book down. It now resides at my elbow at breakfast, where I can turn to today’s date and read the relevant quote to my wife. It provides space, as the authors say, to step back briefly from taking part in life, and instead to reflect simply for a while on how we all live. The Shakespearean quotes all strike a chord."
Three wise monkeys by Charles van Onselen: a book review
2023-09-12"The many intrigues in these pages are told not only by a great writer, but by the country’s foremost historian; Van Onselen’s work opens new ways to think about a range of issues like the responsibilities of scholarship, the idea of southern Africa, and the roots of South Africa’s foreign policy, among other things."
Mangosuthu Buthelezi: Good and evil in one person
2023-09-12"African spirituality does not entail the idea of eternal damnation. It is anchored in the belief that even in death, a sinner can be forgiven and be reunited with his or her ancestors. The question is: would Africans be willing to forgive the sins Mangosuthu Buthelezi committed before 1994?"
The contested legacy of Mangosuthu Buthelezi
2023-09-11"Truth be told, I was introduced to political propaganda and speech writing through Buthelezi’s speeches. He was indeed a gifted writer, crafting statements that could move masses. My father, an Inkatha member, often brought home Buthelezi’s speeches in Zulu and English."
Statues and Storms: Leading through change by Max Price | Book launch on 21 September, Cape Town
2023-09-11You are invited to attend the book launch of Statues and Storms: Leading through change by Max Price on 21 September at Exclusive Books, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The book offers a gripping insider's account of Max Price’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town during a transformative period in South African higher education.
Fresh off the press: Coloured: How classification became culture by Tessa Dooms and Lynsey Ebony Chutel
2023-09-07Coloured is a reflection on, and celebration of Coloured identities as lived experiences. It is a call to Coloured communities to reclaim their identity and an invitation to understand the history and place of Coloured people in the making of South Africa’s future.
Will an African coup loop descend to southern Africa?
2023-09-06"The new thing among African juntas is leeching on the grievances of the demos, that is, pretending to be (and celebrated as) a liberating force – at the beginning at least – before also creating a pattern similar to that of the new elite."
Press release: Isobel Dixon’s A whistling of birds, programme of South African book tour
2023-09-06Isobel Dixon will be on tour in South Africa for the first time since Covid. Herewith more information on the respective events.
To the moon or a crash landing? 2024 election prospects
2023-09-05"Stop dreaming, take on the issues in front of you, DA, and get back to talking with the ANC. There are a number of South Africa’s biggest cities that are in real trouble (I know, I live in one), and only a determined effort by both the ANC and the DA working together can pull them right."
Kariba by Daniel and James Clarke: a graphic novel review
2023-09-04"The pleasing thing about this graphic novel – or comic book, in the parlance of this old-timer – is how it teaches not only old African beliefs, but also that ancient wisdom can be adopted to support the protection of our ecosystem."
Butlers and bachelorettes at Toneelhuis in Cape Town: an interview with Justin Wilkinson
2023-09-01"In South Africa, it’s inspiring to see young people, especially, taking a passionate interest in this industry. Whether one starts in school plays or reciting poems at an eisteddfod, the arts are alive with energy and possibility! And I guess that’s also why I love theatre myself! Anything can happen!"
An interview with the South African creators of a Star wars: Visions short film, Aau’s song
2023-08-31"The more fantasy, visual effects and large world set-ups in a story, the more it lends itself to animation. Animation makes anything possible."
Fresh off the press: Rich state, poor state by Greg Mills
2023-08-31Why do some states thrive, grow their economies and uplift their people while others, facing similar challenges, slide into low growth, social dysfunction and failure?
Seen elsewhere: Sindiwe Magona turned 80
2023-08-30"I was moved to tears at the sense of torches being passed, comfort given, and of the long and transcendent reach of love."
My year of not getting sh*tfaced! by Pamela Power: an inter-review
2023-08-28"I have my doubts that it’s genetic. I think that the anxiety is genetic and the alcohol is a form of self-medication. We also learn from the example set by our parents/caregivers. The whole 'needing a drink to relax' after a stressful day and the adults in our lives having what seems to be a whale of a time when they’re drunk – we learn that that’s how we should behave."
Press release: Lief en Leed patron – empowerment against all odds
2023-08-26There are still so many misconceptions about disability in society at large. Disability does not mean inability. Society in general, individuals, the business sector and employers must learn that people with disabilities are also able and should not be written off.
Beyond Brics optics
2023-08-25"Brics must be more of a foundation for economic growth with equal partners, and not be another cause for global political insecurity. The colonial mentality we resent from the West we shall not tolerate from the East either."