During the Olympic Games, most of us were holding thumbs for our favourite competitors. And, quite appropriately so, since the thumb gestures of spectators in the stadiums of ancient Rome were a matter of life and death for the gladiators. But while it is also National Women’s Month, the 'rule of thumb' reminds us of the considerable battle women had to escape from being 'under the thumb' of men. 

Fears of a global replay of the 2007/8 food crisis mounted last week with confirmation that the United States maize crop would probably drop to a six-year low. There was also bad news from other global production regions and in the Southern African region, the danger is worsened by the fact that farmers in Africa’s largest maize producer, South Africa, are under pressure from an above-inflation rate and diverse costs. 

The roots of the tragic shooting of mineworkers by police at the Lonmin platinum mine in North West last week can be traced all the way back to the power struggles starting around 2007 in the African National Congress alliance. But that is just one aspect of a hugely complicated issue. Viewed holistically, the tragedy raises many disturbing questions with serious implications for South Africa across a wide front. 

Political opportunists like Julius Malema were quick to descend on the situation but the roots of the tragic events that led up to the deaths of so many people at the Lonmin mine at Marikana last week, go much further back than the recent protest. They can be directly linked to the ongoing power struggles in the ANC that started at its 2007 national conference in Polokwane.

South Africa can be pleased about the workman-like 27-6 victory over Argentina at Newlands in Cape Town. Their victory in the opening match of their Castle Rugby Championship campaign on Saturday was good but the hosts should not be ecstatic. 

President Jacob Zuma’s bid to be re-elected as president of the ruling African National Congress at its December national conference in Mangaung, does not look as secure as it did only a few weeks ago. The expected outcome of the elective process at the conference has become unpredictable. 

In a scintillating advertisement for test cricket that would echo around the globe, South Africa beat England by 51 runs to complete a 2-0 test series win on Monday. South Africa is now the the
Number One test cricket nation, replacing England at the top of the rankings. 

To date, South Africa has seen fewer strikes during 2012’s so-called annual strike season (when unions and employers conduct wage negotiations). Other developments are, however, coming to the fore and making for a volatile labour scene.