analysis

The government banned the sale of tobacco products, citing the relationship between smoking and Covid-19.But the government is not collecting data on hospitalised Covid-19 patients who are smokers, or smokers who have died of Covid-19.Collecting this data can help the government determine the validity of its decision.The South African government instituted a ban on the…

With the Hawks rounding on nine men accused of involvement in defrauding VBS Mutual Bank, the state may lean on evidence gathered by law firm Werksmans.Werksmans previously uncovered evidence of corruption at rail agency Prasa, though that probe was seemingly not welcomed with open arms by the Hawks.In recent years, South Africa's prosecuting arm and…

Research shows consumers are more inclined to pay for news online.The Covid-19 pandemic has further boosted this trend as audience searched for credible sources of information about the virus.The New York Times gained 587 000 new digital subscriptions during the first quarter of the year to the end of March alone.Earlier this year, on 20…

Whatever we do with contentious or controversial statues and monuments, it should not be the outcome of the random acts of populist mobilisation. Building inclusive societies is the result of thoughtful and collective deliberation, argue Adam Habib and Alexandra Leisegang.Statues across the world are being torn down, vandalised, in response to legitimate anger about racism and…

Helen Zille derides those who she believes are easily offended, she scoffs at those who disagree with what she sees as self-evident truths and she is known to mock and dismiss those who she believes are weak. Zille relishes conflict, writes Pieter du Toit.Helen Zille has always been abrasive. As leader of the DA after…