The Times Editorial: South Africa rarely does particularly well these days when its performance in areas such as governance , productivity, competitiveness and willingness to tackle corruption is measured against that of other countries.
The Times Editorial: One of the best ways to gauge how the world has changed from one generation to another is to examine our attitudes to sex.
The Times Editorial: Revelations that a "cartel" controls our tolled roads have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many people. Decisions about the expensive Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project have been clouded in secrecy, in the same way as the multibillion-rand arms deal.
The Times Editorial: There is positive talk coming from those ANC members whose concern is not about the interests of individual leaders but about the survival of the organisation.
The Times Editorial: The stability of a swathe of Africa is threatened by the advance of a rebel army in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Times Editorial: 'Get out there and engage . as a protection, as a protection, get out of the nyala and engage. The task force will come next."
THE tendency not to pay for government services, even when we have the means to do so, is becoming the norm in this country.
The Times Editorial: The continuing demolition of houses in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, shows how the government is quick to act against the weak but unable to deal with corruption within its own ranks.
The Times Editorial: If circumstances were different, Jeremy Gauntlett would be the envy of those legal colleagues who have aspirations to become a judge.
The Times Editorial: A visibly upset President Jacob Zuma told MPs yesterday that he felt ''aggrieved'' by media reports that the government had paid more than R200-million to upgrade his palatial Nkandla estate in KwaZulu-Natal.
THE turmoil on Western Cape farms that started in De Doorns has spread to several other towns. Yesterday, workers took to venting their anger at low wages a disturbing step further - resulting in one death and several injuries.
The Times Editorial; Mamphela Ramphele yesterday did what she does best - hold a mirror up to our nation. Speaking at the University of Cape Town, which she used to lead, Ramphele had harsh criticism for those who run the country.
The Times Editorial: The contribution of the SA Communist Party to the liberation of this country is undeniable. In fact, the history of the ruling party, the ANC, is intertwined with that of the SACP.
The Times Editorial: Something will have to give if South Africa is to get back on the road to recovery and prosperity. But the government alone cannot bring about the necessary changes unless we are all prepared to make sacrifices.
The Times Editorial: To an outsider, there might seem to be a lot wrong with US politics. There are the huge financial and media resources required to fight an effective presidential campaign, effectively consigning smaller parties to the political wilderness. And there's the electoral college system, which can render the popular vote almost irrelevant in some states.
The Times Editorial: Call the tabling of a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma yesterday in parliament a stunt, but frustrations about the direction this country has taken have reached boiling point.
The Times Editorial: When the public broadcaster decides to turn itself into a "his master's voice" broadcaster in order to protect the image of the government, the truth gets compromised.
The Times Editorial: Presidential spin doctor Mac Maharaj launched a fearless attack on DA leader Helen Zille yesterday. Emboldened by the police's removal of the DA leader from outside President Jacob Zuma's traditional home in Nkandla on Sunday, Maharaj tried to put Zille in her place.
The Times Editorial: Aman like Professor Jakes Gerwel would, in any country, be a citizen worth having. But in apartheid South Africa, Gerwel was indeed the right man for the right country.
The Times Editorial: Afghanistan took the unusual step yesterday of banning the YouTube website to prevent its citizens from viewing a film, made in the US, that portrays the prophet Mohammed as a philanderer and a religious fake.
The Times Editorial: Dear Mr President, you should not complain when your citizens take to the streets in protest against the lack of service delivery. Theirs is a cry for attention from a government they know has the power and resources to deliver on their needs.
The Times Editorial: In the absence of a strong position on its former youth league president, the ANC appears to have given Julius Malema unfettered space within which to operate.
The Times Editorial: The images we saw on television and in the newspapers were vivid and clear. ANC supporters, accompanied by their leaders, marching towards Bhisho, the capital of Ciskei.
The Times Editorial: Autopilot is about to take over our government. Those whom we elected to govern will soon focus on their political prospects and do little to drive government programmes.
The Times Editorial: It's been an open secret for years that our police service is in trouble - notwithstanding its important achievements in reducing the disturbingly high crime rate and ensuring the safety of hundreds of thousands of visiting soccer fans during the 2010 World Cup.
The Times Editorial: The government, mine owners and unions need to do everything in their power to ensure that the unrest raging in the platinum sector - fanned by the Marikana massacre - does not spread throughout the mining industry.
The Times Editorial: South Africa should attend anger management courses immediately. The country cannot continue on the path that leads to us being defined, with increasing accuracy, as a violent nation.
The Times Editorial: Presidential pardons and amnesty for criminals will always be contentious. President Jacob Zuma, referring to his predecessor's acts of kindness on "key national days", announced on Freedom Day that the sentences of certain prisoners would be reduced.
The Times Editorial: For all those who think sport is a frivolous activity reserved for flannelled fools and muddied oafs, we have just a few words: Hashim Amla & The Proteas, and Ernie Els & The Open.
The Times Editorial: The news that former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi will receive medical parole has, predictably, evoked a firestorm of responses.
The Times Editorial: Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi yesterday warned of the dangers that Helen Zille and the DA pose for the ANC.
The Times Editorial: Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus stunned most economists yesterday when she lowered the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5% - its lowest in 30 years.
The Times Editorial: When asked who they believed was the greatest leader of all time, the overwhelming majority of young South Africans - 71.6% - voted for Nelson Mandela.
The Times Editorial: Education Minister Angie Motshekga did not turn up yesterday for the results of professor Mary Metcalfe's investigation into the Limpopo textbook scandal.
The Times Editorial: The scenes from Marikana mine in Rustenburg yesterday were horrifyingly familiar for all the wrong reasons. They seemed to be located in a past South Africa where stand-offs between police and civilians were ordinary sights. But this was no apartheid moment.
The Times Editorial: The appointment of Ray Zondo as a Constitutional Court judge was widely expected. According to judiciary insiders and observers, there was little doubt that Zondo would ascend to the highest court in the land.
The Times Editorial: The continuing deadly strike at Lonmin platinum mine, the world's third- largest platinum producer, has exposed the fault lines in our labour union movement.
The Times Editorial: When a government cannot deliver the most basic services to its citizens, it signifies a compromised state.
The Times Editorial: And so the London Olympics is over and South Africa's adventure ended on Saturday night with a silver medal from flag-bearer Caster Semenya.
The Times Editorial: It was more than mere serendipity when Bridgitte Hartley won South Africa's fifth medal at the London Olympics yesterday. It must have been written in the stars. It was, after all, Women's Day.
The Times Editorial: When the National Planning Commission's Trevor Manuel diagnosed the challenges that beset South Africa, he told the story of a young school-leaver named Thandi.
The Times Editorial: On April 7 1999, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's amnesty committee rejected an appeal by Clive Derby-Lewis and Janusz Walus.
We're in trouble and even our friends across the world are beginning to see the danger signs. Those we have elected to lead us to a better future know it too, and they cannot bury their heads in the sand and hope that things will fix themselves.
The Times Editorial: The cabinet yesterday expressed "grave concern" about the poor quality of municipal audits as reported by the auditor-general.
The Times Editorial: The resignation of SAA CEO Siza Mzimela yesterday was not entirely unexpected. Her departure follows the mass resignation late last month of the board, which had cited issues with the airline's shareholder - the government - as the key reason for their resignation.
The Times Editorial: The news that the upgrading of President Jacob Zuma's home in Nkandla has soared to R238-million from the R6.4-million estimated two years ago deserves every bit of the outrage now being expressed.
The Times Editorial: The continuing bailouts to state entities like Eskom, SAA and Telkom are killing the industry they operate in and if not reviewed, the private sector will have no option but to close shop.
The Times Editorial: In the week that SAA was given a R5-billion lifeline in the form of a government guarantee, the SABC announced that it will ask the Treasury (read taxpayers) to help fund its upcoming 24-hour news channel.
The Times Editorial: Today the eyes of the world will be on us as we seek the truth behind the tragedy of Marikana, where 34 striking miners were shot dead by the police on August 16.
The Times Editorial: Sipho Pityana, in the hard-hitting article opposite, warns that Marikana represents a turning point for South Africa. He cautions that the "state of emergency" that has been in existence since the violence there demonstrates "the duplicitous role of the government and its security forces".
The Times Editorial: Helen Zille yesterday called for the formation of a new political party that would be able to take on the mighty ANC.
The Times Editorial: The Presidency has taken great exception to what it considered "unfortunate utterances" by former human rights activist Barney Pityana.
The Times Editorial: Fears that Israel, and possibly its most significant ally, the US, might be drawn into a war with Iran over Teheran's apparent determination to press ahead with efforts to obtain nuclear weapons have risen in recent months.
The Times Editorial: Helen Zille's failed march on Nkandla, President Jacob Zuma's traditional home in KwaZulu-Natal, was extremely short-sighted.
The Times Editorial: The SA Human Rights Commission's finding that the police used excessive force on Ficksburg protester Andries Tatane, resulting in his injuries and subsequent death, offers valuable lessons for our men and women in blue.
The Times Editorial: What is it with President Jacob Zuma and the courts? The president, who has embarrassed himself on several occasions with unfortunate comments about the judiciary, was at it again yesterday.
The Times Editorial: The census results released yesterday by President Jacob Zuma were a mixed bag in terms of where South Africa is and what the future holds.
The Times Editorial: The furore around security upgrades at residences used by heads of state will never be resolved as long as the government hides behind the National Key Points Act.
The Times Editorial: It would be a sad day indeed if the Marikana Commission of Inquiry continued without the presence of the shot miners' families. The decision by the Department of Justice to close its purse for their transport and accommodation costs is shocking and downright counter-productive.
The Times Editorial; Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan might not have been able to balance the budget, but he is performing quite an impressive balancing act.
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma should explain to South Africans why he is refusing to release the spy tapes that got him off corruption charges.
The Times Editorial: A series of e-mails sent by Cyril Ramaphosa to Lonmin executives is likely to severely damage the politician-turned-businessman's reputation.
The Times Editorial: Tens of thousands of pupils began writing their matric exams yesterday and, despite minor setbacks and extreme weather in two provinces, things got off to a smooth start.
The Times Editorial: President Jacob Zuma will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat if he is to solve the many economic challenges facing South Africa.
The Times Editorial: Former president Thabo Mbeki's warning that South Africa is heading towards "a costly disaster of a protracted and endemic general crisis" has, predictably, been met with mixed views.
The Times Editorial: Yesterday's guilty verdict in the Cricket SA disciplinary hearing of its suspended chief executive has probably brought the Gerald Majola saga to an end. The man is still fighting a rearguard action in the Labour Court but that might be in vain.
The Times Editorial: South Africa's mining bosses appeared ready yesterday to strike back, with several owners taking hard action against workers.
The Times Editorial: The political killings that have engulfed KwaZulu-Natal could spill over into other provinces, especially Gauteng. Yesterday, there was another brazen political killing, this one outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court, north of Durban.
The Times Editorial: History has taught us that true change happens only when citizens stand up and make personal sacrifices. It is through their actions that those in power are forced to listen and effect change.
The Times Editorial: The net appears to be closing in on Lance Armstrong. The US Anti-Doping Agency says, in a report of more than 1000 pages to the International Cycling Union, that it has "conclusive proof" of the cyclist's doping conspiracy.
The Times Editorial: It has taken several years and a hunt by several government agencies but it appears that the good fortune of former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has finally come to an end.
The Times Editorial: We take no pleasure, as the festive season approaches, in advising readers to tighten their belts. But a perfect storm of a weakening rand, diminishing prospects for economic growth, high levels of personal indebtedness and inflationary pressure leave us little choice.
The Times Editorial: Former human rights activist Barney Pityana delivered a stinging rebuke to South Africans yesterday - one that should be heeded.
The Times Editorial: It is deeply ironic that, as a bill dealing with the empowerment of women wends its way through our legislative process, crime statistics reflect the abysmal treatment of women in South Africa.
The Times Editorial: Earlier this month, financial services company JP Morgan warned that a "Pandora's box" might be opened if Lonmin capitulated to the illegal strikers at its Marikana operations.
The Times Editorial: The violence that has been unleashed in Muslim countries since the release of the Innocence of Muslims film trailer has been shocking - but felt far removed from South Africa.
The Times Editorial: A report on the wealthiest individuals on the planet had this to say - the really, really rich got richer.
The Times Editorial: There is only one snake with a footprint. The line at the pump when the fuel price goes up has a carbon footprint.
The Times Editorial: Finally, President Jacob Zuma is to take action against the unrest at the platinum mines. Though his action is a bit late, it is better than the deafening silence that came from his administration in the past two weeks.
The Times Editorial: Sanity finally prevailed when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provisionally withdrew murder charges against Lonmin miners yesterday. The decision came after days of public anger and statements by politicians following a decision to charge 270 strikers with murder following the Marikana massacre.
The Times Editorial: The wheels have come off and the passengers are stranded in the middle of nowhere. This is the sentiment being expressed in the midst of the continuing education crisis in Northern Cape, where 41 schools have been closed since June following a service-delivery protest.
The Times Editorial: Tina Mbili, a daughter, a mother and a fellow South African, lies in an intensive care unit today fighting for her life. They say her condition is grave. Her crime, it seems, was to have been in love with the wrong man. A man who, after having a child with her, allegedly turned into a monster.
IT BEGGARS belief that the government has not moved to speedily and decisively deal with widespread allegations of assault levelled against the police by the miners arrested after the Marikana massacre.
The Times Editorial: The Constitutional Court will today hear the case of Dudley Lee, who contracted TB while serving time at Pollsmoor prison in Cape Town from 1999. His application for compensation from the state for failing in its constitutional obligation to safeguard his health while he was in prison will be heard by the highest court in the land this week.
The Times Editorial: News coming out of the Northern Cape will depress you. In fact, if it was in another country where education tops the list of priorities, a minister would lose their job and a president would take the nation into his confidence.
The Times Editorial: The aftermath of the Marikana massacre appears to be about managing perceptions. This applies in particular to President Jacob Zuma and the ministers he appointed to ensure proper attention is given to the tragedy.
The Times Editorial: President Jacob Zuma finally showed courage and leadership yesterday when he met angry Lonmin mineworkers six days after the massacre in which about 44 people died.
The Times Editorial: The enormity of South African cricket's achievement at Lord's is hard to underestimate. The magnificent victory has enabled the Proteas to knock the world's best team off its throne. For now we are No1.
The Times Editorial: As a group of 259 mine workers packed into trucks inside a courtyard yesterday, there was a chorus of wailing from a group of women.
The Times Editorial: On Friday, as President Jacob Zuma addressed the media on the Lonmin tragedy, he said that it was not a time for blame, finger-pointing or recrimination.
The Times Editorial: We had hardly stopped celebrating Cameron van der Burgh's gold medal than Chad le Clos had another for us. This one was not only unexpected, it was achieved against one of swimming's true greats, Michael Phelps.
The Times Editorial: Two events in the small village of Swayimane, in KwaZulu-Natal, over the past week are immensely tragic. But what is horrific is that the events - the rape of two elderly women - are not isolated incidents.
The Times Editorial: In its report on its four-day lekgotla, the ANC appears to have done what President Jacob Zuma has been unable to do - express a commitment to find those responsible for the mess-up in education.
The Times Editorial: In a few short months negotiations among the rival political parties in Zimbabwe's shaky coalition government have made impressive progress.
The Times Editorial: In accepting a recommendation to award himself and other top public officials a 5.5% salary increase, President Jacob Zuma has missed an important opportunity to seize the moral high ground.
WHAT hope do we have as a continent when an honest leadership race is turned into an ugly slanging match?
The Times Editorial: The rising levels of attacks on foreigners who do business in townships across the country is proving difficult for the government to handle, let alone stop.
The Times Editorial: The minister of police and his national commissioner yesterday went on a tour of the Cape Flats ganglands.
The Times Editorial: Despite the government's commitment to promoting small businesses - backed up by the establishment of a plethora of support agencies and financing mechanisms for small, medium and micro enterprises - the state is failing many budding entrepreneurs in the most fundamental way.
The Times Editorial: The South African Olympic Committee had to complete its four-yearly juggling act this week and, inevitably, there were some disappointments.
The Times Editorial: Initially , it appeared as if the life of Pippie Kruger was going to be extinguished before she even had a real sense of the magnificence of life.
The Times Editorial: Pupils want corporal punishment to be brought back to schools, saying it will help strengthen discipline.
The Times Editorial: It is amazing to watch the continuing fallout between President Jacob Zuma and his erstwhile best-boy, Julius Malema.
Senior ANC leader Jeff Radebe has called the non-delivery of textbooks in Limpopo "a shame" and expressed his bewilderment at his government's failure to see to the needs of pupils.
Egypt's president-elect, Mohamed Morsi, has confounded many of his critics by extending an invitation to liberals, Tahrir Square revolutionaries, Christians and women to join his new Islamist-led government.
The ANC in Gauteng has proposed that consideration be given to increasing the fuel levy ''as an interim measure'' to help the SA National Roads Agency repay the massive debt it incurred for the improvements to major highways in the province.
The ANC policy conference scheduled to start tomorrow in Johannesburg will test the ruling party's commitment to South Africans.
By not treating road traffic injury as a children's rights issue we are allowing the slaughter of young people on a global scale.
Mariah Carey in her song Hero sings: "When you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you."
Kiekie Mboweni's letter on Blade Nzimande's re-election as general secretary of the SACP ("Blade vocal about power but wears many crowns", July 18) refers.
Over the past few weeks the spotlight has been on the film industry and what can be done to have it compete on a global level ("It's time for Afriwood", July 17).
Will the police win the gang war ("Phiyega's hectic month", yesterday)?
It is sad that Western Cape premier Helen Zille's request for the army to assist the police has been blown out of proportion.
No president in any country has garnered global respect in the way Nelson Mandela has.
South Africa has a major problem with contaminated water and waterways.
Defections by soldiers once loyal to Syria's Bashar al-Assad are a tangible sign that the Syrian revolt is gearing up to become a full-scale conflict ("Putin, Annan meet over deepening Syrian crisis", yesterday).
It would be appropriate for the ANC to celebrate Madiba's birthday by serving the needs of people.
Until such time as the South African Football Association realises the depth of the crisis we are facing in the international arena, we will remain the biggest underachievers on the continent.
Craig Ray should know better ("Fourie's a jolly good fellow for Stormers", yesterday).
Why do refugees choose South Africa (Cost of refugee camps will only fuel the anger", yesterday)?
It's interesting that the so-called activists in Carolina were prepared to accept our lab results - and use them in their court papers - when they showed that the water was contaminated ("Activists don't trust the minister on safety of water", July 11).
There is an important link between the excellent analysis by Brendan Boyle ("Courts a vital counterweight") and letter writer Teboho Metsing's question "what if fascists decide to fight the government?", both published yesterday.
South Africa is notorious for making laws it is unable to enforce ("Health minister accused of promoting a police state", yesterday).
Let us assume there are one million employers in South Africa, big and small. Let us also assume there are 500000 unemployed graduates who need work experience.
It is easy to peep into others' backyards and rubbish their reputation, while your own backyard is full of junk ("Callous DA shuts doors of learning on the poor", yesterday).
No statue of Mandela has yet fully conveyed the man's great personality.
When the ANC wants to win back the hearts of supporters it plays the Mandela card ("Winnie blasts ANC", yesterday).
Regarding the letter "Capitalism creates gangs" by Dr EV Rapiti on July 10, I was recently approached to buy a blanket for the unemployed. The seller said the blanket was made in China.
A few years ago the Treatment Action Campaign had to force the government to provide antiretrovirals to Aids patients.
I Aagree the minister must go ("Angry pupils call for Angie's head", July 10). But the blame cannot be put only on Angie Motshekga' s shoulders.
Poor Mark Boucher ("Sad day for Boucher", yesterday). What a sad, distressing way to end a wonderful career.
The ANC is grabbing at political straws to divert growing public scrutiny into its dismal service-delivery record by burying itself deeper into party politics ("ANC wants MEC fired", July 2).
When all the wonderful World Cup stadiums were first proposed, those of us with a little business acumen and common sense warned that they would become white elephants ("Stadiums not suitable for low-cost housing", July 3). But we were all shot down as being negative and unpatriotic.
The death of 20 initiates after being circumcised is a national disgrace ("Ritual's death toll hits 20", July 4).
The tax season is upon us once more.
The team of Dominic Mahlangu, Thabo Mokone Caiphus Kgosana and Chandré Prince reported on deliberations at the ANC policy conference, in the commission on the second transition, allegedly basing their report, ("Delegates reject Zuma plan", June 28), on off-the-record briefings from some delegates .
The ill-conceived idea to spend R2-billion on another unnecessary luxury like a jet for our president is totally uncalled for ("Sisulu wants VIP jet deal grounded", July 3).
The appointment of Gordon Igesund as head coach is a boost to our national team.
Turn the stadium into Cape Town's tourism hub ("Stadium not suitable for low-cost housing", yesterday).
For the past two weeks we have seen what the South African psyche is like and how politicians can exploit a situation.
Before putting both feet so firmly in his mouth in parliament last week, DA MP Denis Josephs ("No salaries for life", May 31) ought first to have acquainted himself with the provisions of Section 165(4) of the Constitution. This is our supreme law, which he is bound to uphold.
E-tolling was the last straw and as a taxpayer I will not pay for another decision that will benefit only the ANC elite and whoever else it has allowed as beneficiaries ("Second bail-out for Sanral", June 1).
I had never seen the original Brett Murray painting The Spear, so I was naturally very curious to see the artwork that caused such protest.
President Jacob Zuma's supporters have been protesting over the painting, The Spear because it is perceived as being disrespectful to his dignity.
The ANC continues to insult our intelligence ("Hawks bill not good enough", May 24). Of course, the ANC will object to the Hawks being independent - the Hawks would be fully occupied investigating ANC MPs. - Mike Clark, by e-mail
Regarding your article "Memories evoke tears" ( May 25) and the description that "Gcina Malindi sat down, buried his head on the desk and sobbed loudly".
Allow me to save the ruling party from even more heartbreak and despair by discouraging it from trying to control the internet in what would just amount to a futile attempt to protect President Jacob Zuma's dignity.
Why do Johannesburg rates keep increasing?
Congratulations to Manchester City for "buying" the Barclay's Premier League.
Recent cash injections into the Premier Soccer League, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have elevated their bank balances to unimaginable levels.
I agree with President Jacob Zuma ( "Zuma says it's OK for parties to invest", May 23), but only if steps are taken so that:
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe is quoted as saying the courts should not be used to "tamper" with how the government spends its money ("Hands off the government", May 22).
Reading Sibusiso Mtungwa's letter ("Vavi must step aside and give youth subsidy a chance" on May 16) made me think that maybe it is time the thousands of unemployed youth formed an organisation that will represent their interests and demand a seat at the National Economic Development and Labour Council.
Your columnist, S'Thembiso Msomi, perpetuates the false notion that Cosatu has the exclusive right to speak on behalf of workers and the poor ("DA shot itself in the foot", May 16).
Has anyone ever asked what Cosatu does with its money?
Should judges be forced to declare their financial interests?
Professor Jonathan Jansen's column ("Time to raise the bar", yesterday) regarding increasing the standard for passing in all school subjects to 50% refers.
Your coverage of the DA march on Cosatu House left me with mixed feelings.
