The de-linking of democracy from capitalism ought to prompt fresh thinking, says Kgalema Motlanthe
This week saw the launch of Corruption Watch, an initiative by the trade union federation, Cosatu, to halt the wholesale theft of public resources.
The Times Editorial: Tens of thousands of aspirant students queued outside some of our top universities yesterday, desperate for a first-rate education.
As the ANC began its year-long centenary celebrations in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, yesterday, the country and the world took pride in what has been achieved since the organisation's first meeting was convened in 1912 to fight racism and overturn the conquest of the African people.
Sunday Times Editorial: THE Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, has outlined just how deeply graft, mismanagement and outright theft have penetrated the Limpopo provincial administration.
Sunday Times Editorial: LANGUAGE is very much embedded in culture and is central to entrenching identity. South Africa, a multicultural country in transition, has long realised the powerful role of language in fostering national unity after many years, especially during apartheid, of promoting some languages at the expense of others. So, when a new society came into being in 1994, multilingualism took centre stage.
The Times Editorial: Is Jacob Zuma incontrol and in charge of the ANC? If he is, then how does one explain the conduct of a senior member of his administration at Luthuli House, who defied party discipline by publicly questioning some of the president's decisions?
Sunday Times Editorial: IT's a painful irony that a nation that has benefited from the unifying and uplifting exploits of its sporting heroes must hand over power to administrators who are clearly inept, often corrupt, and divisive. In South Africa the phrase "sports administrator" is quickly becoming an oxymoron.
Sunday Times Editorial: TRADITIONALLY, a university education has been viewed by South Africans as a sure way to a bright future - guaranteeing a well-paying job and, truth be told, some social prestige. No wonder, then, that parents go to great lengths to ensure their children attain such an education: working harder, cutting back on luxuries, praying more.
I receive with great concern news about Cosatu's plans for a major strike ("Vavi: Get real, ANC", January 8).
While last month's launch of Corruption Watch is to be welcomed, I found myself wondering what would make this initiative a success when so many others have failed.
Democracy is as democracy does - and what we will be seeing next week is whether the Supreme Court of Appeal decides that the DA should have access to "spy tapes" and other records allegedly pertaining to charges of corruption that were dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority in 2009.
Where have all the backline coaches gone?
Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu's sworn pledge that nationalisation would happen over her dead body was amplified this week by Trevor Manuel, the minister responsible for planning in the presidency.
The ANC does not have a choice but to heed Zwelinzima Vavi's warning, which is not only his, but also the nation's.
While much of England (and fellow Commonwealthers) will celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of its famed son, Charles Dickens, and the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, somewhere in the Arabian desert, a beleaguered English cricket team will be mulling over what could have been.
Regarding the front page article headlined "We won't be bullied: Gwede", by Amukelani Chauke (The Times yesterday) - Gwede, nobody is bullying you into anything.
I am happy that the North Gauteng High Court has granted an eviction order for the removal of the illegal occupants on Wallmansthal farm.
I am speechless at the indifference and silence of the media , civil society, the ANC, SACP and Cosatu over the slaughter carried out by the genocidal Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
Julius Malema's National disciplinary committee of appeals verdict hit a snag and was delayed by more than 90 minutes.
I have no doubt that the newly appointed Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer, will be successful in his bid to revive the Boks.
Why is the ANC trying to reinvent the wheel with an obscurely named media appeals tribunal?
Since President Jacob Zuma took to power, the relations between the ruling party and the media have deteriorated.
As bizarre as it sounds, teachers in the Eastern Cape have been on a go-slow for the past 17 years, perhaps unknowingly.
I applaud Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Bheki Nkosi for his crackdown on public servants represented by Popcru who occupy government property at grossly discounted rates ("Popcru loses rent battle", February 3).
After my visit to South Africa, words come to mind about this country: exotic, exhilarating, beautiful, dirty, rich, poor, black, white, coloured, money, corruption, Mandela, history, endurance, family, injustice, hatred, homophobia, hope, future.
The media have demanded that the government must be transparent, and that independent bodies must ensure that officials are thoroughly checked for corruption.
Brendan Boyle, in his column "Excluded? Buy your way in" (January 26), raises the point of party-political funding in South Africa.
It saddens me that in 2012 there is still no leader within the ANC who is brave enough to challenge Helen Zille to a public debate on matters related to the economy, health, education and all aspects of good governance.
"Taking parliament to the people" has been the swan song of the ANC government since the inception of the other layer of parliament, the National Council of Provinces.
Regarding the article "Why being a Capetonian sickens and distresses me" (January 31), which criticises the actions of police preventing protesters from occupying Rondebosch Common - for once I find myself on the side of the law enforcers.
I think the letter "Arrogant antics by Novak Djokovic" (yesterday), is a case of sour grapes.
Your coverage of the introduction of tablet computer technologies at schools refers ("iPads for elite schools", January 26).
HOW dare Eskom threaten us with blackouts yet again, when lights on the highway are left to burn 24/7?
I would like to pay tribute to a true a heroine, my mother Nomathemba Maureen Mildred Wotshela, who left the honourable profession of teaching.
Shouldn't the top bosses at Eskom agree to a 10% salary cut ("Cut power demand by 10% or face blackouts", yesterday)?
If you were a foreigner visiting this country, you would think our politics is only about President Jacob Zuma and beleaguered ANC Youth League president Julius Malema. The two are consistently in the spotlight - and at loggerheads.
The letter "How to grade children and reward their teachers" (January 27) refers.
That a student can achieve a pass with a paltry 30% to 40% knowledge of the material required and end up in university is really a joke.
I commend Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi for establishing the Corruption Watch to help our country, which is unravelling due to ever- increasing corruption and lack of service delivery ("Vavi takes swipe at his comrade", January 27).
I am a senior citizen and concerned about the way our ruling party is operating.
EMPLOY a technocrat CEO with international experience who can recruit his or her own professional team ("Ndebele unveils battle plan", February 7).
There is one factor we should consider when tackling the education system in our country - that is that learning begins at home.
Role of the courts in a constitutional democracy
A lone voice
Regarding "VIP cops fight eviction" (yesterday), I couldn't believe the comments made by police officers who were about to be evicted from their barracks.
Novak Djokovic may have won the Australian Open, but his antics on court afterwards, when he stripped off his shirt and yelled like a man possessed, left much to be desired.
Novak Djokovic may have won the Australian Open, but his antics on court afterwards, when he stripped off his shirt and yelled like a man possessed, left much to be desired.
What a brilliant opportunity the top judges have missed ("Defiant judges take on justice minister", January 27) by refusing to disclose their assets and business interests, as well as those of their immediate families.
I have read, listened to and watched every expert opinion on the way forward for South Africa, and have come to my own conclusion.
The Times Editorial: The removal of Muammar Gaddafi, which was meant to bring about peace in Libya, seems to have caused problems for neighbouring countries.
The ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe was correct when he said that ill-discipline would lead to anarchy, and with anarchy there will be no party.
I found Lukhona Mnguni's letter on the DA Student Organisation poster very interesting ("DA youth poster reckless", yesterday).
I view with keen interest that South Africa is strengthening relations, both economic and political, with neighbouring states, even Swaziland, yet there is nothing that shows solidarity with those fighting for democracy there.
One public intellectual once admonished his readers and encouraged them to read books that spawn new insights; the kind of books that stretch minds and urge you to read more on the subject.
What is happening in Makhaza seems a typical development in our country of late, but it is more a tragicomedy than a saga ("Toilet resentment lingers", January 20).
No country can afford that every citizen gets a university education.
Dressed in a pair of cotton pyjamas, slippers and a silky gown, an unwell Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse opens his front door.
I find it difficult to understand the SABC 's sports coverage .
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said recently that heads will roll in Limpopo.
After the recent furore over Top TV's propsed dedicated pay-TV porn channel, there has been vigorous debate about pornography, both online and off. Is porn good for you?
The reality is that a small but powerful minority has the capacity to decide what society should 'know'
There is more to party's history than soliloquies about its infallible leaders
Hope and desperation are the twin faces behind the tragedy of Gloria Sekwena, writes Adam Habib
I never know how to behave when I go to write about hungry people.
The sorry episode of the British tabloid News of the World is a classic case of the hunter turning hunted.
As the SA Communist Party celebrates its 90th anniversary this weekend, we publish two views on its role today.
Magnus Malan, who has died in Cape Town at the age of 81, was for 10 years arguably the most powerful man in South Africa.
