#Omicron. What a word!  It sounds like a three-year old’s pronunciation of Unicorn.  South Africa is filled with extraordinary people.  Many of our scientists are the best in the world, and we discovered this variant of the virus that mutates like a boss. Imagine the lab where this happened, scientist pouring over samples and documents

This is not a column about Daisy. It is a column about kindness and appreciation. And even though Daisy, our beloved German Shepherd is central to the story, she is not the least of what it is about. Daisy died yesterday. It involved a Checkers 360 guy, a motorbike, and the unfulfilled dream of a

Last week I wrote that Zuma’s Arrest was an anti-climax – I have eaten my words, they were as bitter as they were dismissive. And now, I don’t know if words can do justice to the shockwave that unfolded in our beloved country over the past seven days. #CryTheBelovedCountry. What I know for sure, is

Over the past few days I have received and read many notes of concern and sympathy for South Africa. Each of them is greatly appreciated. Thank you ️ I have also seen many messages with “I told you so”, “thank heavens we left when we did” etc. My note is to these people. The second

Help me out here. Let’s assume that I was in the market for a new 53 Inch television and that I had no intention of paying for either the item or my TV license. And let’s assume that I wanted to join the looters this morning because I have some time on my hands. Where

Can you believe it South Africa?  JZ went to jail. He’s in an orange overall, eating prison food, using a call phone and sitting behind the tralies?  Can you believe it? (ok, the food and phones are a “stretch”, but I’m certain he’s incarcerated). Let’s wind back the clock a bit.  There was nothing else

Very rarely over the past 12 years, have I had to use the spotlight for an obituary.  This is one of those rare situations where every word I type is covered by tears—my own as well as those of hundreds of people whose lives he has touched. It is said that the only thing one

How much news can be crammed into a single week?  What a cracker! I jumped from headline to headline (with my fake news hat on) not believing what I was reading.  Let’s start with the headline grabbers #Concourt and the #Judiciary.  The eyes of the world were on our legal system as the #ZumaJudgement was

I would like to remember Rodney Love. Rodney was my boss and my friend for over 12 years. Rodney was born deaf 72 years ago and although his hearing loss was profound he was a better listener  than most people I know. Rodney taught me about business and about life. He taught me perseverance, tenacity and

Stella Beder, one of the major contributors and shining stars of the South African musical scene over a number of decades passed away last month at the age of 88 and 8 months following a fire at her home in Melrose, Johannesburg. Stella was a leading opera singer (Mezzo Soprano) with PACT for many years.

It needs to be said. The South African Government has blood on its hands. It is not the first time, it will unlikely be the last, but there is little doubting that the deadly Covid 3rd wave that is devastating the country could have been blunted by a reasonable vaccine roll-out. And no amount of

If I began this story by telling you that we had ten babies born and unborn and that there are diamonds in the hills of KZN you’d think I’ve gone nuts right?  There’s more: the man behind #EstinaDairy got R10000 bail (not Ace, don’t get too excited this isn’t a fairy story) and that SAA

South Africans have always been a little prone to melodrama. We have made hyperbole our friend and have long embraced the exaggerated form. We do nothing in half measures and reject the “happy medium” as if it will bring shame to us, our families and our neighbors. Which is why it should come as no

The top story across the country is #LoadShedding & our powerless electricity supplier #Eskom.  It should be our biggest story; it impacts on each of our lives.  Over my years in media, I have had the honour of speaking to some very clever people and #Eskom has been on my top story list for years.

My conversations with Tonya are always fun. Each week, on my radio show we take a look at the big news stories that have dominated the press. We laugh uproariously at the antics of South African government officials, we are obsessed with Zondo and we roll our eyes more than we should, given that it’s

I’ve had a horrible week in social media, not only because I was affronted with horrific media out of the Middle East, but because of the reaction of people who I care about. I always keep my eye on the Middle East and Gulf, I have strong Arabic roots and I have many friends all

Serves 6 – 8 1-2 pieces of chicken per person (Skin on) or 1 Tablespoon olive oil for frying (If you are using skinless chicken) 1 can chickpeas 1/2 cup samp 4 medium baby marrows sliced 1 small onion diced 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cloves garlic minced 30 ml tomato sauce 1 can tomato and