Sun breaking through just when clouds look darkest

I was reminded yesterday the sun often breaks through when the sky looks darkest. After a nervous start, new Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene grew in confidence during his maiden Mini Budget Speech

UNDICTATED: Steinberg’s masterpiece makes one more nervous about path SA’s following

Jonny Steinberg is one of South Africa’s finest writers. Winner of the Alan Paton Prize for both Midlands and The Number, between writing books, he teaches at Oxford University.I’ve just finished reading Steinberg’s latest work, A Man of Good Hope. It is the story of Asad Abdullahi, one of thousands of Somalis who have been smuggled into … Read more

Food prices – the spark that ignites revolutions

By Alec Hogg At Sanlam’s i3 Summit earlier in the month keynote speaker Dr Pippa Malmgren painted a disturbing picture about the state of the world. She talks of growing “shrinkflation” – a business sleight of hand hiding the way prices are being stimulated by money creation in Western Nations. Instead of being charged more, … Read more

Tim Noakes to critics: Let’s take off our shirts and compare

Right now South Africa can’t get enough of Tim Noakes. The sports scientist expanded his nutrition work on super athletes to himself and after years of confusion reached some very definite conclusions. But what he now recommends has been hotly countered by vested interests – turning the previously popular professor into persona non grata in … Read more

labour relations

Experienced a memorable quarter hour on CNBC Africa Power Lunch yesterday

By Alec Hogg On Monday, Gideon du Plessis, the urban and measured head of trade union Solidarity, came on air to fling a raft of allegations at politically connected entrepreneur Solly Bhana – the man blamed for the Aurora Gold debacle. Among his slings was Bhana had skipped the country after being told to cough … Read more

Poulter the Ryder Cup demon is scary sight for his kids

By Tony Jimenez GLENEAGLES Scotland (Reuters) – Ian Poulter has become the leader of the pack for Europe in recent years and says even his own kids are frightened when they see him transform into a fist-pumping, eye-popping Ryder Cup demon. The proud Englishman now holds the torch once carried so memorably by Ryder Cup … Read more