How to stay alive in South Africa
Everything is going up, including the murder rate. But, at 74 violent deaths a day, the price of human life remains cheap. I thought now might be a good time to share a chapter from my book, Ben Trova...
Dear Julius Malema, Supreme Commander of the Economic Freedom Fighters…
Congratulations on your magnificent performance in the Cape Town City Hall last week. You and your fighters looked good in your well-pressed designer overalls. Unlike the DA, who came dressed as if th...
Blowing your own horn
Rhino farmer John Hume has had enough and is putting his breeding farm on auction in April. Here's a letter I wrote to him in 2017...
...........................
Dear John,
Congratulations on being...
My fellow South Africans …
For the second year, the State of the Nation Address is not being delivered in the National Assembly. It feels like yesterday that a fire swept through parliament 375 days ago. This is why we have not...
The Matrics – Take the red pill, kids
Yes, you’re all very clever. Clap, clap, clap. Well done, girls and boys. Look at you, all sparkly-eyed and smiling fit to burst, flashing your flawless teeth and carefree faces, reminding the rest of...
South Africa: Forward to the Past
After yet another wretched night without power, I bought an ounce of criminally overpriced data and turned to the internet for help. Dignitas seemed the most effective solution, but my bank balance sa...
The Kraken wakes as the government snoozes
So the new year is off to a cracking start. Someone tried to assassinate the head of the University of Fort Hare, there's less electricity than ever before, and it turns out that André de Ruyter's mor...
2023 – A good year for rabbits
Right, then. How are you all feeling? Can't wait to take the new year between your teeth and shake it like a terrier shakes a rat, I'll bet. Yeah, me too.
This is going to be the best year in the his...
The Art of Survival – Hangovers
Men in white coats tell us that hangovers are caused by the excessive intake of alcohol. Funny, then, how it was men in white coats saying things like, “Can I get you another?” that led to all the tro...
Pope Benedict – In Memoriam
Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95. As a tribute, I republish a letter I wrote to him in 2013.
.......................................
Dear Comrade Benedict,
Your resignation has tak...
Still no Jesus among Christmas babies
I like to think of this week as the year's perineum. In 2023 we're either going to hit the sweet spot or find ourselves even deeper in the … okay, that's about as far as I'm going with that particular...
Xmas shopping for the cheapskates and the drunk
It’s that time of year when the ravening dogs of capitalism are out of the cages and straining at their leashes. Their eyes are red and wet and their foam-flecked jaws snap and slaver. Soon they will ...