On freedom, Lara Logan and working in a man’s world
My first outing for the Daily Maverick- - Conflict journalism is never easy. The hardships male reporters experience pale against those, both tacit and blatant, that women have to face. The horrific sexual attack on CBS reporter Lara Logan at the height of jubilation in Cairo’s Tahrir Square has focused the spotlight on women journalists simply trying to do their jobs. Back when I was a goggle-eyed 13 year old who fancied herself as a latter-day Elizabeth Bennett with a predilection for cricket, my English teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. “A journalist,” I replied...
Read MoreEgypt, now what?
The essential revolution in the mind has already been accomplished. A radical transformation of political and economic structures would be an even more extraordinary event. But achieving it won’t be easy, as Tunisia’s example already reveals; and Egypt’s own history warns us that the foundations of despotism are deep and wide. It is now clear that our virtual vigils will have to continue long after the western media’s very recent fascination with Egypt trails off, and assorted neocons and “liberal” hawks emerge from the woodwork to relaunch their bogey...
Read MoreLessons from the life of a great revolutionary
From the tribute Trevor Manuel, minister of national planning in South Africa, wrote to the late Johnny Issel, these two quotations from Almilcar Cabral stood out, Always remember that people are not fighting for ideas. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward and to guarantee the future of their children. Claim no easy victories, mask no difficulties, and tell no lies. Johhny Issel, quoted by Manuel in the tribute, said about the struggle and the South Africa we now so liberally enjoy, What spurred us on then, this spirit of...
Read MoreEgypt Solidarity Demonstration
Last Friday, when I called the Egyptian embassy in South Africa for comment on events in Egypt and also their sentiment on proposed demonstrations outside the embassy, I was asked by a worried diplomat whether any South African political parties had been planning to join the demonstration. The protest last week was a spontaneous act of support by a handful of Egyptians living in South Africa. The demonstration set for later today is likely to be more organised and much better attended, various trade unions as well as activist associations have put their weight behind the protests...
Read MoreSandmonkey: Egypt right now
Egyptian blogger, Sandmonkey, who was arrested (and subsequently freed) had his blog account suspended. The following was his last post, salvaged with the help of John Treat: I don’t know how to start writing this. I have been battling fatigue for not sleeping properly for the past 10 days, moving from one’s friend house to another friend’s house, almost never spending a night in my home, facing a very well funded and well organized ruthless regime that views me as nothing but an annoying bug that its time to squash will come. The situation here is bleak to say the...
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