Before the recent overthrow by rebels of its government, the Central African Republic (CAR) was best known for the exploits of a murderous warlord and self-styled mystic leader Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Have the recent events let Kony and the LRA off the hook again? 

Hard-hitting remarks levelled by several senior members of government at South Africa’s public servants, last week, sent a clear message for them to get their house in order. Behind these remarks, is an imminent shake-up and transformation of the public service whose key delivery role could make or break the National Development Plan (NDP). 

The spat that recently broke out between state-owned electricity utility Eskom and its former sweetheart client, BHP Billiton, after Eskom set out to cancel contractual arrangements in terms of which it supplies electricity to BHP Billiton below production costs, seems to suggest it has nothing to do with the public interest. However, many people seem to think differently and questions about a potential clash of interests have arisen.

South Africa, and in particular the Western Cape, is being subjected to a flurry of liquor legislation and regulations reminiscent of 1920s prohibition America. Aimed at reducing liquor abuse and associated social ills, the myriad of new laws – with some baffling clauses – are causing massive confusion and may damage some local economies and stimulate the illegal liquor trade. 

To understand the dangerous Cold War-like nuclear standoff taking place in South-East Asia between the Kim Jong-un government of North Korea and the United States and its South Korean ally, it should be realised that these countries have actually been at war for more than 60 years. At the same time, with the north-south Korean divide remains a Berlin Wall-like symbol and for them, the Cold War is not over yet. 

A few rugby journalists have recently written the epitaph of the most capped Springbok centre of all time, Jean de Villiers (32), when the South African Rugby Union announced the first Springbok training group of the year and two young centres, Robert Ebersohn and Jan Serfontein, were amongst the new players who received invitations to the training camp in Cape Town. It is remarkable how such criticism can inspire a player.

It is, even now, not quite clear if all members of the South African National defence force (SANDF) have left the Central African Republic (CAR) after the embarrassing outcome of the military mission to that country. It is cut and dried we are heading back to that part of the continent on another mission but how cut and dried is cut and dry really? 

Kaizer Chiefs have joined Platinum Stars, United FC, and SuperSport United in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup and the AmaKhosi is also sitting pretty at the top of the ABSA Premier Soccer League. But will their nerves hold with a seven point cushion at the summit of the ABSA PSL to edge last season’s treble winner and win the PSL in style?