Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Riesling Country
South Africa: Sea Point High - Long, Hard Road to Matric Achievement
Travelling long distances between township areas and schools is never easy -- learners are exposed to crime and other dangers while commuting. But despite these challenges, matriculants from Sea Point High in Cape Town have managed an 82% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate examinations.
South Africa: 2020 - Ramaphosa Has Everything to Win - and Everything to Lose
Will 2020 be the year in which Cyril Ramaphosa musters enough support within the ANC to turn South Africa around, or will the 'fightback' pseudo-revolutionaries win the next battle? As the debates rage on as to whether the ANC's 8 January speech will give us as a country a real sense of purpose and direction, I am wearier of the dark clouds gathering with regard to the showdown with the public sector unions and the inevitable arrests of high-profile political types this year.
South Africa: Panyaza Lesufi Celebrates Gauteng's Class of 2019 Despite a Pass Rate Decline
Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi boasted about achieving the highest number of bachelor passes in the country while claiming the position of top province for district performance. This was after ceding the position of number one province to Free State. Gauteng's 87.2% pass rate for the class of 2019 might be a stone's throw away from the 90% target that the department had set, but the province can celebrate that out of the top 10 districts in the country, six were from this region.
South Africa: Matric - Scrap the 30 Percent Pass Mark! It's (Not) a Joke
Before we get excited about pass rates, we need to understand how they work and why the grading system needs work. In December 2019 I overheard many conversations between adults and children which ran like this: "How are you? How is school? Did you pass? Great - Keep it up". I think we need to be a nation interested in learning and concerned about education.
South Africa: Time to Shed Light On Eskom's Failures and Cut the Fairy Tales
Load shedding is bad and Stage 6 is terrible. The lies and obfuscation that surround Eskom and its problems are just as bad. It's time for full disclosure and transparency. When Eskom declared Stage 6 load shedding recently, South Africa convulsed in a state of incredible anger. It's not that the lights had been cut off - we have been living through this since 2007 in one form or another.
South Africa: How to Unhack Yourself and Read 20 Books in 2020
Reading dozens of books a year used to be a doddle, but now, you need every trick in the book to unhack yourself from the attention economy. Here's some advice on how to do so. Friends, readers, internet addicts, lend me your ... attention.
South Africa: In Defence of South African Hope
To guard against being overwhelmed by the electronic debris that is the global contemporary news cycle, you need to go looking for True North. The compass has always been approximate so you have to do some of the work, in the real world, that is.
Africa: 2020 - a Wait-and-See Year for the Global Economy
Optimism abounds after a year dogged by US-China trade uncertainty and fears of a global recession. But, while the good news many had been waiting for materialised late in 2019, Brexit, US-China trade relations and the US elections are likely to throw up some challenges for the global economy, so caution and tempered optimism are called for as we watch how events unfold during 2020.
South Africa: Gutsy Proteas Downed By Stoked England
England's victory over the Proteas in the second Test at Newlands gave the series a boost and also sent a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do in South African cricket before the men's national team are a force in the game again.
South Africa: Record Pass Rate for Matrics of 2019
Eastern Cape, North West and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest improvements as the national matric pass rate rose to a record 81.3% in 2019. The jump suggests inequalities in education may be reducing, but there are still challenges with the quality of schooling and the many, many students who don't make it to Grade 12.
South Africa: Climate Allies Desmond Tutu and Al Gore Unite in Fossil-Fuel Divestment Struggle
Desmond Tutu and Al Gore have warned in a joint statement that 'corporations, governments and institutions that continue to invest in fossil fuels despite all the evidence of their effect on accelerating climate change are furthering environmental, economic and social injustice'.
South Africa: Corruption Could Undermine the Integrity of SA's Legal Profession
If perpetrators of corruption are not held accountable and they continue to act with impunity, South Africa will soon be joining the ranks of countries like Somalia and Syria, which have the worst human rights records.
South Africa: ANC Anniversary During a Time of Crisis
On various apartheid celebratory moments, democratic forces used to declare that there was 'no cause to celebrate'. It may well be that many in the ANC have a similar ambiguity, on the eve of its 108th anniversary. If there is a democratic renewal, the ANC needs to rethink its role if it is to be a significant player. This article first appeared on Creamer Media's website: polity.org.za There was a time when I would not have written about the ANC on the eve of the 8th January anniversary statement.
Africa: U.S. Airstrike in Iran - International Law, Self Defence and the Problem of Conjecture
The decision to kill a top Iranian general has been justified as self-defence against imminent threats by Iran. But the United States only has to look at its recent history in Iraq to understand the perils of unilateral action in the name of anticipatory self-defence unauthorised by the UN. Most of the world is reacting to the United States current administration's decision to kill a top Iranian general, with many transfixed by the prospects of World War III.
South Africa: Sorry Banting Fans, but Your Ancestors Did Eat Carbs
The charred remains of starchy plants excavated in the Border Cave high in the Lebombo Mountains in South Africa provide the earliest direct evidence of the collecting and cooking of carbohydrate-rich foods by humans. At least 170,000 years ago, humans not only consumed cooked meat, but they supplemented their diet with staple carbohydrates.
South Africa: Reasoned Criticism of Courts Holds the Judiciary Accountable
South African courts are likely to hand down several politically significant judgments in 2020. This will include cases involving Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and former President Jacob Zuma. No doubt, these judgments will provoke harsh criticism from those who do not like the outcome, but when does the criticism tip over into contempt of court?
South Africa: Richard Maponya - a Giant Who Defied Apartheid and Its Entrepreneurship Barriers
Business icon Richard Maponya, known as 'Soweto's most humble giant', died in the early hours of Monday 6 January 2020 after a brief illness. He was 99. It has become fashionable for business executives to complain about President Cyril Ramaphosa's government and its glacial pace in responding to SA's economic and unemployment morass. Several executives lament the worrying state of affairs without offering any solutions.
South Africa: Daniel Mminele Takes Charge At Absa
The revolving door between government and the private sector continues to revolve as former deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank joins Absa as CEO, just a week after the former Nampak CEO took up his new position as CEO of Eskom. The board of Absa bank has appointed former South African Reserve Bank (SARB) deputy governor Daniel Mminele as chief executive officer of Absa, confirming months of speculation on the subject.
South Africa: Gang-Ridden Western Cape Welcomes New Police Commissioner
Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata, former head of the Hawks, is now police commissioner for the Western Cape. This is no easy post in a province where crime and gangsterism has a tight grip on residents of the Cape Flats and surrounds. The Western Cape's new top cop, Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata, is finally getting to grips with the task she's faced with and she already knows what she wants to focus on.
South Africa: SA Cricket Can Learn a Great Deal From the Springboks' Success
As imperfect as rugby structures are, the question for cricket is how does one achieve what rugby has achieved? How does one get past the narrative that transformation causes a lowering of standards? Graeme Smith is a big man. As he stood next to Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi on the Newlands boundary on day two of the Test match between South Africa and England, he seemed smaller somehow.
South Africa: Petroleum Draft Bill Lays Uncertain Foundation for SA Oil and Gas Production
The draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill was published in the Government Gazette on Christmas's Eve for public comment. The state will get a 20% free stake in all projects, which must also have a minimum of 10% black ownership. It remains to be seen if this will attract the investment needed to kickstart the sector. It was too late for the Africa Oil Week conference in Cape Town in November 2019, but never mind.
South Africa: Philanthropy and #imstaying
#ImStaying has given so many people hope and has changed so many people's behaviour that even now, its job is done. Philanthropy, charity or something else -- we are yet to see how this movement, in its infancy, proceeds. "Besides having a degree, diploma and some certificates, I've been unemployed for the past 3 years. I'm able to make ends meet, Thank you God, yesterday I was driving on our local main road. There I saw a lady selling mealies.
South Africa: State Still Trying to Build Case On Rifle Theft At Centurion Military Base
Twelve men arrested for stealing rifles from a military base are out on remand after more than 10 days in detention, with the state taking shots in the dark in an effort to build its case. There was a spontaneous "hallelujah" from one of the women crowded at the open window at the back of the too-small and stuffy Centurion courtroom in an attempt to listen to proceedings on Friday 3 January 2020, but an orderly in military uniform promptly and sternly shushed her.
South Africa: What 'Getting Brexit Done' Means Generally and for South Africa
South Africa has an interest in ensuring that Brexit doesn't cause much disruption in its major export markets, or to its main source of foreign direct investment. But a raft of questions arise that are difficult to answer. By the end of January 2020, the UK should have passed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill into legislation, giving Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party-led government full discretion to finalise a new trade deal with the European Union (EU) by the end of 2020.
South Africa: 2020 - the Political Year Ahead for South Africa
With load shedding already darkening the country just days into 2020, South Africans should fasten their seatbelts for the year. Though no national elections await in 2020, both the ANC and the DA have significant congresses scheduled which may see President Cyril Ramaphosa, in particular, on the ropes once more. Eskom, Eskom, Eskom ... President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to the country that load shedding would not disrupt December holidays, "right up to January 13".
South Africa: 2019 - and in Other News...
Ever felt, year after year, like the clock's ticking faster, and that December arrived just as you finished writing down your list of the previous year's resolutions? It's not just you.
South Africa: Revealed - Britain Rebuffed Nelson Mandela's Appeal for Oil Sanctions Against Nigeria After It Executed Environmentalists
The British government rejected Nelson Mandela's personal appeal to impose oil sanctions on Nigeria after its military regime executed nine environmental activists in 1995 as it wanted to protect oil company Shell's commercial interests, newly declassified files reveal.
South Africa: Woman Killed, Suspect(s) Sought Whilst Another Suspect Arrested for Murder of Another Woman, Dumping Her Body in a Dam
Police are looking for suspect(s) in connection with a murder case which took place at Tweefontein near Zamani Primary School. According to reports, on Saturday 28 December 2019 at about 08:30, police were called by members of the public to a gruesome scene where a woman was murdered. Police rushed to the scene and upon arrival, they discovered a lifeless and half naked body of a 25-year-old woman lying on the ground with some body parts missing.
South Africa: Murder Parolee Arrested for Rape of 4-Year-Old Girl and Her Mom
A 35-year-old murder parolee has been arrested in Machadodorp, Mpumalanga, for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl and her mother. According to police, the man visited the 28-year-old mother and her daughter at their home on the Day of Goodwill (formerly Boxing Day). Moments after he was allowed into the house, he pulled out a knife and forced the mother and her daughter into one of the rooms where he allegedly raped both of them.
South Africa: Manhunt After Woman Allegedly Shot Dead By Ex-Boyfriend On Boxing Day
Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt for a 35-year-old man after he allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend in Elukwatini last Thursday. According to police, 25-year-old Laurencia Zinhle Mathebula was walking with her cousin when they were approached by her ex-boyfriend. Mathebula's cousin left the two alone to have a private conversation, but moments later heard multiple gunshots.
South Africa: Suspect Found With Police Firearm and Bulletproof Vest At Road Block
A 28-year-old suspect is facing charges of impersonating a police officer after he was nabbed at a roadblock near the Moutse Magistrate's Court in Limpopo on Saturday evening. Officers found a stolen police firearm, 43 9mm rounds of ammunition, two grenades, police handcuffs, a police reflector jacket and a bulletproof vest when they searched the suspect's white Volkswagen Polo.
South Africa: After the Party's Over
On the Morning After, how you feel is due to an accumulation of effects caused by the type and amount of grog you downed the Night Before. Hangovers - from the gently groggy to the galactically gargantuan - begin with your body's losing the race to process the most abundant of the many types of alcohol in booze - ethanol. The more ethanol you consume, the longer your body takes to deal with it. Result? You start to accumulate nastily toxic by-products from your body's ethanol processing.
South Africa: Three Die in Accident
Ngqamakhwe police are investigating a case of culpable homicide. It is alleged that three men were walking on the road when motor vehicle hit them. The three men aged 21 and 22 and another whose age has not yet been established all passed away at the scene. The accident occurred on Thursday, 26 December 2019 at about 09:00 at Merelisa Locality, Thoboyi Village, Ngqamakhwe. The cause of the accident is not clear at this point in time but is under the investigation by Ngqamakhwe Police.
South Africa: Suspects Linked to Double Murder Nabbed in Bergville
It is alleged that on 20 December 2019 at 15:30 a vehicle with two occupants was found on the Road P10 at Ntabamoya in Winterton. The occupants sustained multiple gunshot wounds and a 30-year-old man was declared dead at the scene. A 37-year-old man was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Charges of murder were opened at Winterton SAPS for further investigation. Information was gathered at the scene for possible leads with regards to the suspects involved.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Riesling
Contact Riesling, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack