Litnet

"[I]n most cases, the causes and atrocities of the wars – Korea, Vietnam, numerous struggles for liberation across Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and a dozen other settings – have been brushed over or inadequately brought to light. South Africa stands out as an exception, with its Truth and Reconciliation Commission. But the truth of the lessons of Auschwitz holds true for a world in conflict since 1945, and makes the 80th commemoration all the more important."

"Your chosen favourite can say or do no wrong, and anything, however outrageous or immoral, can be justified, condoned and, with every-day use and reinforcement, it becomes your new normal, the standard from which to judge The Other."

"In simple English, even in cases where there are healthcare workers paid for by the government, medication cannot be handed out."

"Logically, what is the justification for fact-checking – and then monitoring and censoring – Facebook or X or Instagram, but not WhatsApp?"

"Frank Anthony’s activism was not just a political endeavour; it was a deeply emotional and personal commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice ... With each word penned in defiance, each poem recited in solidarity, Anthony poured his heart and soul into the struggle, knowing that the price of freedom was steep, but believing fervently in its worth."

"For property rights holders, nothing dangerous will come of it. For the landless, their aspirations have been deferred. Perhaps once again."

"As much as I understand and respect the now common practice of clustering young boys under the care of a district surgeon or something similar, I lament the loss of other rituals in this arrangement. For one, unless families privately arrange this, there is now no teaching of the young men who they are amid the myriad clan origins. They come out of the mountains without any better or deeper understanding of their history and identity."

"Early in this ceasefire, it is, beyond the brief respite, hope and emotions, all too clear that this conflict has gained nothing meaningful in conflict terms."

"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."

"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."

"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'."

"At this juncture in our country’s history, the words of Thomas Hardy come to mind when one thinks of the Springboks: 'Happiness is but an occasional episode in a general drama of pain.' Thanks to the Springboks for being the happiness in our lives."

"How and when will we find the simplification and Google Understanding Translate to help overcome the language and lexicon barriers to human understanding of universal or global issues?"

"As a government agency, we take our mandate from our country’s Constitution to work actively and diligently toward implementing social cohesion, human rights, equity, equality and the mainstreaming of accessibility for all persons impaired by disabilities, among other duties."

It is with deep sorrow that the Breytenbach family announces the passing of Breyten Breytenbach earlier today, Sunday 24 November 2024.

"Trump has not won in spite of his ugliness. He has won because that ugliness is appealing to millions. They believe that ugliness is strength. And the hate he speaks is their secret belief."

"In the writer’s ink lies the elixir to immortality. What’s done is done; the battle has been lost and won. While the breath is gone, the words still shine. The library lives on; it did not burn down."

"By stripping people of their individuality and freedom, the Taliban’s interpretation of Shariah robs Afghan men and women of the respect and agency they are afforded in Islam. True Shariah fosters an environment of moral integrity, where both men and women are encouraged to respect, support, and uplift each other – values that stand in stark contrast to the Taliban’s narrow, authoritarian vision."

"For all you South Africans reading this, I hope you cheer us on over the next four years as we Americans – we sometimes foolish and arrogant, but also generous and kind, Americans – learn these incredibly valuable lessons. I’m standing strong for hope, change and generosity of spirit."