David Smith

ANC’s glory fades in townships

For a younger generation trapped in post-apartheid poverty, past political glories cut little ice Published 26 Apr, 2014 05:49am

‘S. Africans are backward’, says Zambia’s VP

ONE of the most colourful men in African politics happens to be white. Guy Scott is the vice president of Zambia, but his race is probably the least exceptional thing about him. Published 03 May, 2013 05:15am

Court battle looms over Mandela’s businesses

JOHANNESBURG: Two of Nelson Mandela’s daughters have launched a legal bid to oust his close friend and lawyer from the boards of two companies, hinting at ugly power struggles to come over the former president’s wealth. Published 12 Apr, 2013 05:03am

How rich is Mandela?

JOHANNESBURG: He is Africa’s most famous man, the subject of countless biographies and TV documentaries, his every move now scrutinised more closely than ever. Published 12 Apr, 2013 05:02am

A new world order faces growing pains

It is the moment that any host dreads. In the beach resort of Durban this week, South Africa will be straining to keep up appearances for bigger, wealthier patrons—China, Brazil, Russia and India—in the feverish hope that it’s worthy of a stop on their so Published 26 Mar, 2013 05:05am

Relief and anger after Pistorius bail

PRETORIA (South Africa): The release of double amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius has been condemned for sending the wrong message in South Africa, a country where violence against women is seen as a national Published 23 Feb, 2013 11:02pm

‘Racism’ of early colour photography

CAN the camera be racist? The question is explored in an exhibition that reflects on how Polaroid built an efficient tool for South Africa’s apartheid regime to photograph and police black people. Published 27 Jan, 2013 12:00am

Aids: turning the corner

SOUTH Africa has witnessed an “unparalleled” five-year increase in life expectancy since 2005 thanks to the world’s biggest programme of HIV/Aids drug treatment, researchers say. Published 05 Dec, 2012 12:00am

Kagame defies UN condemnation

RWANDA’S president, Paul Kagame, remained defiant in the face of growing international condemnation of his country’s military meddling in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Published 01 Oct, 2012 12:00am

Old rivalries pose new threat

BY any measure it is a stunning reversal. Three years ago Somalia’s central ‘government’ controlled little more than a square mile of the capital, Mogadishu, while Islamist militants began to impose strict Sharia law Published 29 Sep, 2012 10:01pm