It would be a  mistake to regard the attempts by former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president, Julius Malema, to resurrect his political career as Commander in Chief for Economic Freedom Fighters as fanciful daydreaming. The appearance of the organisation Economic Freedom Fighters on the political landscape is symptomatic of one of the biggest challenges to democracy in South Africa. 

On the back of the worst drought in the United States in more than 50 years, crop failures elsewhere, and competition for food crops from the biofuels industry, farmers across the globe have started to slaughter cattle and pig herds. This can cause world-wide food inflation to rise to 14% over the next 12 months. For those who can afford it, now might be a good time to stock the freezer with some pork.

The violent protests, triggered in more than 20 Muslim countries by a video produced in the United States insulting Islam, have led to a re-evaluation of interpretations of the principle of freedom of speech and expression in many countries. In this situation the South African Constitution with its Bill of Rights has much to teach the world.

A recent newspaper editorial, referring to vast business networks established by senior political leaders, claimed that this apparent attitude of 'charity begins at home', is a threat to our democracy. This attitude, and its dangers, is not only found with senior, and lesser political leaders such as Julius Malema. It was also evident in recent developments on the labour front in the gap that has developed between trade union leaders and ordinary workers. 

If ever there was a fitting finale to a Cricket World Cup, it was the T20 championship match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo between the West Indian Islands and the hosts, Sri Lanka, on Sunday. The match was remarkable for several  reasons. 

Most observers would agree that New Zealand laid to rest the fallacy that South Africa is a challenge to them.  The world’s best team beat South Africa with an emphatic 32-16 victory in the Castle Rugby Championship at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. It was a massive reality check for the Springboks.  

The up coming African Cup of Nations is in danger of losing its gloss before it has even started. Perhaps the biggest casualty from a South African point of view is the absence of South Africa’s finest player and a man who would possibly feature in what could be an All-Star African team. 

South Africa’s labour relations dispensation, which has mostly served it well for more than 30 years, is in tatters in the wake of events surrounding the recent violent dispute at the Lonmin mine at Marikana. Problems have been in the making for some time but have now reached a crisis point that calls for some drastic rethinking, repairs or even a total overhaul.