The Soapbox | Where South Africans Speak Out

BY AKANYANG MEREMENTSI
For how long will we continue to blame the poor performance of our students in the country on the Department of Education alone and not the students themselves too? Aren’t they, the students, the ones learning, if not failing to learn?
But of course one would [...]

BY AKANYANG MEREMENTSI
One cannot help but suspect that the now recent reports of Anglo Platinum being advised in splitting its South African assets into two has something, if not everything, to do with the country’s ruing party’s (Africa National Congress) youth movement ANC Youth League’s talk of nationalising the Platinum Mines.
Business Day newspaper reported this [...]

BY DANIEL MORGAN
Former cricketer Imran Khan is pushing his own populist, anti-West agenda just as Pakistan’s president embarks on a tour of Western capitals. His opinion piece in The Times last week firmly lays the blame for Pakistan’s manifold terrorist problems and social ills at the door of the UK, the [...]

The fourth issue of Love magazine features a collection of the industry’s most beautiful ladies. The Gorgeous issue features Gisele Bunchen, Agyness Deyn, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Lauren Hutton and Buela, a Louis Vuitton doll. Editor, Katie Grand, told Vogue that in her mind each of these women are perfect. The magazine features the various [...]

Victoria Beckham will launch her own line of handbags. According to Vogue Ms Beckham will collaborate with Katie Hillier, who previously worked with Marc Jacobs on his runway accessories. The plans are still in the early stages but judging from her design talents which have silenced quite a few critics, the bags are bound to [...]

After facing severe criticism for their MAC make-up line, Rodarte has commented on the incident. The range was inspired by Juarez, a Mexican factory town infamous for high rape and murder rates Kate and Laura Mulleay, the sisters behind the label said: “We recognize that the violence against women taking [...]

BY RENAY GROUSTRA
This past weekend, countries all around the world crowned new national cross country champions. For South Africa it was no different and team GT Mr Price were in attendance to try retain the title in the team, as Erik Kleinhans was the defending National Champion in the green and [...]

BY GENEVIEVE VIEIRA
“We can still be friends” is a phrase we’ve all heard before and most often dread.  So forgive me if I must confess that I am a loyal minion of the post break up friendship.  While many would consider this a recipe for disaster, I have managed to secure bonds with great men… [...]

Like most 20 something year olds, I have a low bank balance and constant urge to have a good time. This has lead me to avoid shopping malls and all the pretty things that live within, packing my home made lunch for work instead of walking to Wimpy (yes, my budget does not allow for [...]

To know more about this arty gourmet destination read “Things to do on Granville Island”

Hospitable host of this year’s Winter Olympics, abode of a burgeoning film industry known as the Hollywood North and called hometown by stars such as Ryan Reynolds, Michael J Fox and Joshua Jackson; Vancouver is the epitome of laid-back cool. Quietly having built up its cult following over the last few years, it has suddenly [...]

Then read this for what you must see and know before you pack for your tropical holiday on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Stone Town, Zanzibar – Sights and Attractions

You wouldn’t notice her deep green eyes unless she’s staring straight into your own. She looks directly into mine, and she sees the colour where my deepest pain melts into my greatest wish. I’m captivated by the delicate power of her presence, my heart beating out a rhythm of fascination.
She [...]

BY NIKOLAI TJONGARERO
Lyrical users of speech. We abuse the language utilised with the goal of making their fantasies about what they most seem to need without the need to first achieve. Change moods we do indeed, because the escape we provide is a portal to a lost place in time that moves [...]

BY GENEVIEVE VIEIRA
What love is love if overcome?
He promised an undying love
but pardons turned num.
Glory, glory loveless mercies
For now he lays in the arms of another.
What love is love which has no name?
I’ve sacrificed my heartships
but lovers shamed to claim.
Glory, glory desired covers
For now he lays in the arms of another.
What love is love if [...]

Soapboxers! We round up three upcoming events to which you should go…
Six THREE STORIES exhibitions now showing:
The T shirt show
One night only
The letter A in the color blue
Paper Girl-SA
Chapter Two:”Friends”
The Bin R250 show
Venue:  IN THE ART SPACE until 14th August
ART SPACE opening hours:
Thurday to Saturday
10h30 to 16h30
For more see:
http://www.a-word-of-art.co.za/exhibitions/
35th anniversary of die [...]

This week, The Soapbox is bursting with fresh news and views!
In Politics & Society, Hylton Taylor applies an engineer’s scepticism to global warming and the BP oil spill.
Our style columnist reports on London’s Fashion Week in her latest dispatch for What Kate Did, our regular roundup of fashion.
Akanyang Merementsi reviews the conman caper I Love [...]

Yay, it’s Friday! If the rain comes back, be sure to curl up in front of your computer and catch up with The Soapbox’s freshest news and views — it’s been a busy week.
Read Tania Colyn’s take on the new Fugard Theatre’s latest play – The Train Driver — by the theatre’s namesake in Life [...]