The flourishing members of business’s “second chance at life” club

Some months back, Business Day’s editor Peter Bruce asked whether I’d like to contribute to his fine newspaper. Back then it wasn’t possible because of my restraint of trade. But that ended in July, so my first column for Business Day appeared this week. Called Undictated it appears every Monday – one more reason to start your … Read more

The ghost of the no-show by AMCU haunts Joburg’s 2013 Mining Lekgotla

Have spent today at the Mining Lekgotla at the Sandton Convention Centre. It wasn’t the most uplifing experience. A bit like being the quiet kid at the jock’s after-match party. Standing one side and watching testosterone levels rise in direct proportion to alcohol consumption. There hasn’t been much drinking here. But there’s that same awful … Read more

Meet Warren Buffett for “just” $156 000 – and AOL’s Armstrong changes feet

Warren Buffett’s pulling power is legendary. Every year more than 30 000 of us take the winding road to Omaha in Nebraska to attend the Berkshire Hathaway AGM. Few care about the financials. The magnet is listening for five and a half hours as Buffett and vice chairman Charlie Munger answer questions ranging from investment … Read more

Have Aliens occupied my President’s brain? Zuma “profoundly congratulates” Mugabe? On monumental election fraud?

Yesterday afternoon I received an email from the South African Presidency. No big deal in that.  I’m one of many on the mailing list. What wrenched the gut was its content. President Jacob Zuma, the official missive stated, offers his “profound congratulations” to Zimbabwean counterpart HE Robert Mugabe and “urges” Zimbabweans to “accept the outcome.” So … Read more