History Matters

May 21 2012 at 11:09am By Japhet Ncube Controversy: A visitor to the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg uses his hands to form what could be a codpiece on the controversial painting titled The Spear, done by South African artist Brett Murray. The ANC has said it intends to demand the removal of the painting, which [...]

May 21 2012 at 11:11am By Mary Corrigall Mary Corrigall FOR almost as long as heads of state have been the subject of official commissioned portraits they have been the subject of unsolicited satirical representations. Naturally, the former is designed to portray the leader in the best light as possible. In the case of the [...]

This is an edited vertion of address by the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, at the memorial lecture for the organisation’s fourth president, Josiah Tshangana Gumede. We meet here during the most important month in the history of our country – April, our Freedom Month, when we celebrate the birth of democracy and freedom in South [...]

Rodney Warwick writes on another significant anniversary, ignored by the ANC Introduction No single internal military operation within this country’s history, matches the ferocity of the events on the Witwatersrand, now Gauteng, ninety years ago this week. But this important event in South African history – like the centenary of the Union of South Africa [...]

Mandela’s membership of the Communist Party: what needs to be reassessed? by Tom Lodge The evidence that Stephen Ellis refers to about Mandela’s membership of the Communist Party is pretty definitive. It is based upon recollections of party members some of whose testimony is derived from first hand experience. Joe Matthews was a member of [...]

The ANC’s split heritage: totalitarian and democratic by Paul Trewhela 05 January 2012 Paul Trewhela on the Shishita Report and the demonising of Mark Shope BBC Radio Four in Britain broadcast an important discussion between Moeletsi Mbeki. Jay Naidoo and Nadine Gordimer on 30 December about restriction on media freedom in South Africa. In their discussion on [...]

. HISTORIC SLICE: Thandi Modise, Gwede Mantashe, President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Jeff Radebe and Mathews Phosa cutting the ANC centenary cake at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein during the ANC’s centenary celebrations, which will be marked by another 12 months of commemorative events Picture: Elmond Jiyane The ANC celebrated its 100th [...]

On trial for his life in 1964, Nelson Mandela explained his movement’s policies and the objectives that inspired the actions that placed him in the dock, saying: “The most important political document ever adopted by the ANC is the Freedom Charter. It is by no means a blueprint for a socialist state. “It calls for [...]

It was George Bush senior who, while campaigning for the 1988 US presidential election asked voters to “read my lips; no new taxes”. There are those who claim the slogan helped Bush win the election. Afterwards, of course, he promptly raised taxes. The lesson? The last thing you should be reading, when you are trying [...]