Articles
Whose head should roll?
Martin Prew Firing the education minister will not rectify flawed procurement and intervention powers. The grief that has been heaped on Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga from all quarters seems to be justified on the surface. The facts seem clear. Eight...
Replace Angie – with a doctor or diplomat
Faranaaz Parker If education really is SA's top priority, it's clear what needs to be done. We need a new education minister, writes Faranaaz Parker Last week I stood in a queue at the supermarket and waited as the young woman behind the till painstakingly tried to...
Memories of a political prisoner on Robben Island, 1987-1991
CECYL ESAU History Department, University of the Western Cape / Institute for Justice and Reconciliation I was arrested with a number of comrades in April 1986. I was charged with commt- ting acts of ‘terrorism’ against the apartheid state. Initially we were fifteen...
Some thoughts before budget day
Zubeida Jaffer European debt woes risk evolving into a full-blown financial and economic crisis. When the United States sneezed in 2008, we were not fully inoculated and lost over a million jobs.. Europe is coughing but so far they have contained their sneezing. If...
Why The West Craves Materialism & Why The East Sticks To Religion
by Imran Khan My generation grew up at a time when colonial hang up was at its peak. Our older generation had been slaves and had a huge inferiority complex of the British. The school I went to was similar to all elite schools in Pakistan. Despite gaining...
JOURNALISM
Today is the 15th of January 2011. I am sitting at the door of my room facing the magic tree. The garden in front of me is my inspiration. My mother planted this tree many years ago easily more than 30 years ago. Its a space in which I feel very safe and comfortable....
What was the recipe of the election’s success?
By Zubeida Jaffer Life is a series of special moments. Last week’s election was one of those prolonged special moments strengthening our belief in the possibility of creating a country and citizenry at peace with itself. It is through these moments that we garner the...
Zille does ANC a favour
By Zubeida Jaffer 9 March 2009 DA party leader, Ms Helen Zille, made an extraordinary statement at UCT this week that has bruised hearts here in Cape Town. She told students that people erroneously believe that the ANC paid them social grants. She went on to explain...
Will COPE help bring real change?
In the Cape Times, Star and All-Africa.com 23 January 2009 By Zubeida Jaffer* Outside the city of Cape Town, in a northern suburbs home, COPE party leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, sips a glass of cold apple juice. A small boy, with large innocent eyes, toddles into the lounge...
Can the ANC rescue its tarnished image?
In the Star and Cape Times 15 September 2008 By Zubeida Jaffer* ANC president Jacob Zuma has acknowledged that the greatest challenge for his party in the upcoming elections would be getting people out to vote. An internal ANC survey has found that it may lose its...
ANC is 95 years old
Is the ANC in danger of losing its role as moral compass to millions who have long seen it as the force for enlightened change in this country? Today(January 8th), it is 95 years old and decidedly shaky. Over decades, it has been present, providing direction and hope...
ANNUAL PRESS FREEDOM ADDRESS DELIVERED BY ZUBEIDA JAFFER GROUP PARLIAMENTARY EDITOR-INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS RHODES UNIVERSITY
5 MAY 1997 This is special moment for me returning to my Alma Mater on this auspicious occasion. When I received the invitation to give this address, my parents asked if they could accompany me to Grahamstown. They are not physically here tonight but are with me in...
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Last Sermon
After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may God send His praises upon him said: “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take...