10. The Mercury's interview with Allistair McIntosh, the Pietermaritzburg lawyer who successfully sued the KZN govt following a horrendous accident caused by a pothole in one of the provinces roads:
McIntosh's successful legal action was blamed by Transport Dept boss Chris Hlabisa for precipitating a spate of pothole related cases against the govt. McIntosh told Jauhara Khan:
"I was very physically active before the accident. I used to fly, cycle, paddle-ski; I had even bought a yacht and sailed. I used to walk, but I can't do any of these things anymore. I rely on a walking stick now and can only walk short distances. I live in excruciating pain; it is increasing and uncontrollable. I am on a host of medication. Medical evidence has shown that I won't be able to work past the age of 55."
9. The Sowetan editorial titled "Shame of our Nation", following the revelations that Jacob Zuma had fathered yet another love-child
"What does it say about our national value system and aspirations" the newspaper asked, "when the head of state blatantly preaches one message and practices a different one?"
8. Business Day's editorial explaining why Joburg's roads are in such a shocking state:
The editorial notes: "Joburg collects just over 60% of the rates and taxes owing to it. Collect the other 38% and you'd have enough money to make this a world-class city in reality and not just in advertisements. But that money is largely owed by the ANC's poorer constituency, and collecting it would take political courage and will way beyond anything Masondo has demonstrated in office."
7. The AfriForum statement revealing that Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana, had changed Pretoria's name on the sly
By the end of the week the change and been formally retracted, and a major Afrikaner revolt had been averted.
6. Willie Esterhuyse's article in Beeld touching upon one of the great untold stories of the transition - the battle between National Intelligence and elements within the military:
Esterhuyse tells how in the run up to his first secret contacts with the ANC in exile he received training from NI in the handling of personal security. Frustrated at all he had to learn he blurted out: "but the ANC's not going to murder me." His instructor replied that it wasn't the ANC but the military, from whom he had to be protected.
5. The Star story on how one Joburg pothole was causing tens of thousands of rands of damage to passing cars:
Beauregard Tromp and Anna Cox reported that "Cars travelling along the southbound carriageway near the corner of Beyers Naude Drive and Northumberland Road in Northcliff swerved dangerously into the slow lane to avoid hitting the metre-long pothole." By the side of the road were six cars that had failed to take evasive action on time, "with drivers on cellphones and others hurriedly changing tyres."
4. The Times' story on the home affairs application form filled in by Jacob Zuma and Sonono Khoza for a birth certificate for their child:
The newspaper reported: "The section marked ‘Acknowledgement of paternity [in respect of] a child born out of wedlock' is signed by JG Zuma in the box marked: ‘I hereby declare that I am the natural father of the above child.' The document is date stamped January 19, two days after Zuma's motorcade reportedly arrived at the Khoza family's mansion in Diepkloof Extension, Soweto."
3. Hermann Giliomee's article in Beeld on the significance of F.W. de Klerk's speech of February 2 1990
Giliomee says that on that day De Klerk did what was both necessary and right. He wanted to prevent the black-white conflict being decided bloodily and with great bitterness. His vision, Giliomee writes, was an honourable one. And that whites and Afrikaners by-and-large followed him was a bright moment in their history. The problem was just: "The whites had waited too long, and that fact that they were in Africa, eventually caught up with them."
2. Tim Cohen's article in the Daily Maverick on South Africa's one state owned mine, Alexkor:
In Alexkor, Cohen argues, one can see the future of a nationalized mining industry in South Africa. And it does not work.
"The history of diamond miner Alexkor's gradual deterioration provides an eloquent negation of the Julius Malema's vision of the Brave New World. The Youth League claims nationalised mines will contribute to the well-being of the community more so than at the moment; that they will remain profitable; that managers won't leave; and that the industry in general will expand. In fact, Alexkor's history shows precisely the opposite: gradual disengagement from the community, sliding profits, skills deterioration, and, ultimately, taxpayer bailouts."
1. The Business Day editorial explaining why President Jacob Zuma is in such a terrible fix:
"If he can't show restraint when in the company of old and trusting friends' daughters, how is he ever going to stand firm and do the morally correct thing when dealing with affairs of the state, such as signing off arms deals? If he has no self- discipline, how can he be expected to discipline others, like Julius Malema, when they get out of hand? And if he finds it impossible to follow the safe- sex guidelines that the government he leads has been trying to sell to the country's youth, why should they?"
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