John Kane-Berman asks why new BEE rules are being pushed that will further inflate state procurement costs.
Our own writing in the media
Nelson Mandela was neither the hero nor the icon that the world worshipped, but he did understand that more was to be gained by trying to promote unity than to fuel the fans of mindless racism to score political points. But the party which has been diminished most by these events is the ANC.
Sara Gon on the problem of the abuse of patients at public hospitals.
Tomorrow, 7 April 2017, thousands of South Africans will take to the streets to allegedly save South Africa and to defend our democracy. Save South Africa marks it as the day for “a massive people’s push” and goes further to add that “united public protest is the only way to stop further state capture and to defend our democracy”. Civil society groupings have echoed the likes of Equal Education in urging their members “to participate in all mass actions aimed at freeing our country and defending our democracy from the shackles of the Guptas and Jacob Zuma”. But its the ballot that holds the real power.
John Kane-Berman says a less ideologically confused DA would be more cautious about depicting itself as Madiba's political heir.
BUSINESS Day hit the nail on the head last Thursday (March 11) when commenting on Winnie Madikizela- Mandela’s latest foray into public consciousness. “It’s enormous fun to watch the ANC (African National Congress) tie itself up in knots as it tries, for the millionth time, to extract itself from another gigantic political excess.”
In his fortnightly column in Business Day, John Kane-Berman argues that the green paper on land reform drafted by the Department of Rural Development on Land Reform only gives a small inkling on what is truly in store due to the lack of reference to black economic empowerment (BEE).
South Africa was one of the 51 founders of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. But by 1946 the treatment of South African Indians was placed on the UN agenda.
John Kane-Berman says Mmusi Maimane appears unsure as to whether the ANC or the NP is to blame for our major ills.
According to some news reports Mr Ramaphosa "left no doubt" that those involved in state capture, including President Jacob Zuma, would be prosecuted – not "if " he became president, but "once" he got the top job.
John Kane-Berman, the Institute's CEO, says that Jacob Zuma is a successful leader, contrary to popular belief.
12 February 2018 - In an open society with a free and critical press and vigilant NGOs, there is no excuse for government officials not to know what is going on around them. It was no excuse under the previous government and it is no excuse under the present one.
John Kane-Berman says the ANC govt is no fan of individual ownership by either white or black South Africans.
In this piece, Majozi explains why we are concentrating on the wrong numbers. Let’s stop obsessing about the billionaires – they are ‘unnecessary distractions’. Instead, Majozi argues, pay close attention to what we can do to improve the chances of more people improving their own financial situations. Majozi outlines some suggestions to open up opportunities for the talented and ambitious.
Dr. Max Price, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town has recently (28 August) released his regular letter to students and staff, “From the VC’s Desk”, to explain the university’s current position on fee increases, ahead of an announcement by the Minister of Higher Education.
The motion has been tabled by Professor Timothy Crowe, with support. It follows a series of decisions by the executive, grounded in the appeasement of student lawbreakers and ideologues who have not been able to articulate their philosophy in any manner as to result in its common comprehension. The straw which has broken the camel’s back is the 6th of November agreement reached by the Executive with the Shackville TRC to form an Institutional Reconciliation and Transformation Commission (IRTC)/Shackville TRC.
Jasson Urbach warns that a weak patent regime can act as a significant deterrent for innovative companies seeking to invest.
Although I am a devout advocate of free market principles, one who agitates for less government input and less regulation, I believe that entrepreneurs and the private sector can thrive where the government is strong in terms of providing a conducive environment for individuals and enterprises to thrive.
'The attitudes of those closest to us are our biggest threat. This means tackling our mores and customs'
Freedom of expression and its narrow limitations is a constitutional principle which sits uncomfortably with many, if not the majority, of South Africans. Events inform us of how well freedom of expression in South Africa holds up under pressure. Either it does not hold up and we cave in to threats of violence and attempts to censor, alternatively it holds up, and we once again nudge the needle in favour of freedom. By GWEN NGWENYA.