
Yes, your favourite public park should be privatised
- By Martin van Staden
- . Jul 24, 2025
Few things have gripped the social imagination so firmly as the notion that “public = government = good” and “private = insular = bad.” This

It may not feel like it, but SA has come a long way
- By Marius Roodt
- . Jul 24, 2025
The oldest Springbok died this week. Des van Jaarsveldt died at the age of 96. He had been a stalwart of Rhodesian rugby and played

National security threats, own goals, and a perfect storm?
- By Jonathan Katzenellenbogen
- . Jul 23, 2025
Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office released the government’s National Security Strategy, or rather a cut down version of the full document on the subject

Artificial Intelligence 1, Copyright 0
- By Steven Boykey Sidley
- . Jul 23, 2025
I have written previously about the hot war between creators of content and the “foundation” AI companies like ChatGPT, which hoovered up as much content

Sending violent criminals to eSwatini is essentially sending them to South Africa
- By Reuben Coetzer
- . Jul 23, 2025
The saying goes that if the US sneezes, South Africa gets the flu. Well, in this case it appears to be the reality, Washington is

“Mr President, we are not willing to do your dirty work”
- By Daily Friend
- . Jul 23, 2025
An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth Dear Mr President and Minister Meth By this time, you

The crazy bullet train to nowhere
- By Ivo Vegter
- . Jul 22, 2025
Gauteng and Limpopo provinces are planning a high-speed rail connection. The jackpot question is: why, oh why? Feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments are underway

Coups, Secrets, Conspiracies, and the Unexplained
- By Terence Corrigan
- . Jul 21, 2025
I started this week’s column as a reflection on the country’s investment malaise and what the impending US tariff regime would mean for it and

Making sense of military options in a complex and chaotic world
- By Greg Mills
- . Jul 21, 2025
Few aircraft define the Second World War as much as the Lancaster bomber. With just two airworthy today, it is a relic of a bygone

How does SA’s culture block growth?
- By Shawn Hagedorn
- . Jul 21, 2025
South Africa’s mix of insularity, ubiquitous patronage, and much magical thinking blocks economic growth by undermining merit and global integration. A serious national dialogue initiative