Editorial Independence Through A Wide Lens
By Zubeida Jaffer – he recent spat at eTV has placed the spotlight on editorial independence. The resignation of its head, Marcel Golding begs many questions: Do owners matter – does union ownership of media bring news coverage of greater meaning to the working people of this country? Do those who own media companies use […]
Parliament diary: It wasn’t Zuma’s fault, says Nkandla committee
By REBECCA DAVIS – The Parliamentary committee set up to consider the issue of security upgrades on President Zuma’s Nkandla home has completed its final report. In its ultimate form it exonerates Zuma almost entirely, while seeking to place blame on officials portrayed as having run riot on the project. The report even highlights a […]
Vavi expresses discontent with Numsa’s expulsion
By Qaanitah Hunter Three and a half days after a vote to expel Numsa from Cosatu, a formal letter it received was not signed by Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi purposely avoided a press conference that announced the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa)‘s expulsion from Cosatu. In a […]
SPII TALK NEWSLETTER November 2014
On 16 OctoberSPII Talk November front cover 2014 the world celebrated World Food Day, which has become a global campaign to raise awareness around food insecurity. This global call to end hunger will resonate strongly with many South Africans who continue to go to bed without food in their stomachs.
Op-Ed: TAC – We cannot ignore our moral responsibility
By THABANG POOE & TIMOTHY FISH HODGSON – The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) puts a human face on the continuing HIV epidemic, and, perhaps more importantly, puts a human face on the constitutionally entrenched right to health more broadly. With over 8,000 volunteers in 192 branches, across seven of South Africa’s provinces, it also provides […]
Economic week ahead: SA shows rise in retail sales
By: Matt Quigley South Africa is set to provide updates on manufacturing output and retail sales over the coming days. Egypt is to report last month’s inflation data while we look to Ghana to announce a rates decision. Overseas, economists and investors will keep on the lookout for US retail sales figures, European growth updates […]
Medical specialists charge way too much – report
Johannesburg – Medical specialists are charging up to 300% more than the amounts medical aid schemes allow, according to Sunday’s Rapport newspaper. The allegation was reportedly contained in a submission that the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) would make to the Competition Commission’s inquiry into the private health industry. In its submission, the board said […]
Tongaat profit up on import tariff rise
Reuters – Johannesburg – Sugar producer Tongaat Hulett said on Monday first-half operating profit grew 9.3% as import tariff hikes and cost cuts partially offset the effects of low sugar prices. Operating profit for the six months to September rose 9.3% to R1.5bn compared to the same period last year. The South African Revenue Service […]
Confronting the thorny issue of the minimum wage
By Dirk de Vos – As we approach the labour relations indaba to be hosted by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, our focus will turn to the issue of determining a national minimum wage. In the lead up to the indaba, we can expect various interest groups, backed by all sorts of economic research, to support […]
National oppression – dead or alive?
By RAYMOND SUTTNER – Twenty years into democracy Apartheid has gone but its patterns of oppression live on in many ways. This is not to suggest that nothing has changed, or to deny that there have been significant changes in the lives of many people. But many of the patterns of oppression live on. The […]
