My first encounter with 5 W’s and an H was when I was a student at Rhodes University in 1978. By then some of my classmates were familiar with the problem solving method because they were taught this in High School English. I don’t think there can be any journalist...
By Shepi Mati and Zubeida Jaffer The last time MK Commissars took a strong stand in pointing out the enormous discontent in the ranks of the ANC was in the late sixties. This initiative led to the now famous Morogoro Conference in 1969 which redefined the way forward...
By Zubeida Jaffer* Steve Biko is a Xhosa prophet. Author and commentator, Moeletsi Mbeki made this extraordinary statement at the Franschoek Literary Festival this past weekend. His presentation was peppered with little quips and at first I thought this was just...
Photographs of media articles and general images from various events and meetings.
In both July editions of The Journalists we have carried stories on the progress and challenges of local government in several towns, villages and cities throughout the country. Here Zubeida Jaffer, publisher of The Journalist, goes in search of answers to key...
In the lead up to the 60th celebration of the 20,000 women who marched strong against the pass laws, and as we see the resurgence of women-led activism on campuses across the country, Zubeida Jaffer’s new book on the historical activist, Charlotte Mannya Maxeke, could not have come at a better time.
http://www.thejournalist.org.za/pioneers/once-upon-a-time-context-matters
The Publisher of The Journalist, Zubeida Jaffer has received a Media award for her fearless commitment to journalism and a free media. The Publisher of The Journalist has called for action to secure the release of close to 50 journalists who are jailed in Turkey....
By Zubeida Jaffer The women of Cape Town remind me of the grey-blue mountains that hug our shores. They are forever present. They have been here for thousands of years giving life to those who have lived and live here at the furthermost point of Africa. Their stories...
Two senior University of Cape Town academics have locked horns about a range of matters related to higher education transformation challenges, stirring interesting exchanges. The viewpoints of professors Xolela Mangcu and David Benatar were aired on the pages of The...
A recent series of articles on Genetically Modified Organisms, plant or meat products that have had their DNA artificially altered, at the food and clothing retailer Woolworths sparked intense public reaction. After apologising to Woolworths because we relied on a 1999 story to hold them to their commitment to ‘ban’ GMO some new evidence has come to light.
By Zubeida Jaffer Jan Van Riebeeck arrived in South Africa in 1652. Who of my generation does not know this? It was drilled into all our minds at primary school. And even if we were not lucky enough to go to school, the mythology certainly did not pass us by. The...
Whose dignity is it anyway?
“In Soccer, if you don’t listen to the referee, there can be no game,” says the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Lechesa Tsenoli, defending the actions of officials in the latest fracas. The Journalist Publisher Zubeida Jaffer nailed him down between rounds in the...
Tata Madiba’s name flips glibly over many tongues today. Some who hold him in high esteem were silent when he was incarcerated. They did nothing to support his vision of a united non-racial, non-sexist South Africa free from poverty. They only came near when the...
By Zubeida Jaffer Rudolf Mastenbroek seeks to discredit the tortured and not write about the torturers and askaris that journalist and author, Jacob Dlamini writes about so sensitively in his latest book Askari. In a Sunday Times article (Nov 16) entitled “How do you...
This week The Journalist begins a series on Editorial Independence. It has been sparked by the eTV saga, starring Marcel Golding as our newfound ‘champion’ of media freedom. The Minister’s statement is run here to provide context for the analysis by Zubeida Jaffer and...
Ayesha Dawood rose to prominence as a struggle activist in Worcester, Western Cape, and was one of the leaders charged in the 1956 Treason Trial. She passed away on the 28 May 2014. These are the photos of the funeral that took place at Aesha Dawood's residence in...
By Zubeida Jaffer* Lets not defend the indefensible. President Zuma has led his party and the country into a quagmire. Last weekend’s story in the Sunday Times has further added to the drift, leaving many of us hanging our heads in confusion and disappointment....
By Zubeida Jaffer Let anyone who is without sin, throw the first stone (The Bible, 8: 7) The Mandela family has been at the receiving end of publicity as the head of their family lies desperately ill in hospital. It could be said they have brought all this controversy...
By Zubeida Jaffer Star editor, Makhudu Sefara opportunely broke a dignified silence today. This was a tense two weeks for journalism. His voice articulates the levels of annoyance circulating amongst media professionals. If he had not spoken today, many were at risk...
Zubeida Jaffer European debt woes risk evolving into a full-blown financial and economic crisis. When the United States sneezed in 2008, we were not fully inoculated and lost over a million jobs.. Europe is coughing but so far they have contained their sneezing. If...
Today is the 15th of January 2011. I am sitting at the door of my room facing the magic tree. The garden in front of me is my inspiration. My mother planted this tree many years ago easily more than 30 years ago. Its a space in which I feel very safe and comfortable....
By Zubeida Jaffer Life is a series of special moments. Last week’s election was one of those prolonged special moments strengthening our belief in the possibility of creating a country and citizenry at peace with itself. It is through these moments that we garner the...
By Zubeida Jaffer 9 March 2009 DA party leader, Ms Helen Zille, made an extraordinary statement at UCT this week that has bruised hearts here in Cape Town. She told students that people erroneously believe that the ANC paid them social grants. She went on to explain...
In the Cape Times, Star and All-Africa.com 23 January 2009 By Zubeida Jaffer* Outside the city of Cape Town, in a northern suburbs home, COPE party leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, sips a glass of cold apple juice. A small boy, with large innocent eyes, toddles into the lounge...
In the Star and Cape Times 15 September 2008 By Zubeida Jaffer* ANC president Jacob Zuma has acknowledged that the greatest challenge for his party in the upcoming elections would be getting people out to vote. An internal ANC survey has found that it may lose its...
Is the ANC in danger of losing its role as moral compass to millions who have long seen it as the force for enlightened change in this country? Today(January 8th), it is 95 years old and decidedly shaky. Over decades, it has been present, providing direction and hope...
5 MAY 1997 This is special moment for me returning to my Alma Mater on this auspicious occasion. When I received the invitation to give this address, my parents asked if they could accompany me to Grahamstown. They are not physically here tonight but are with me in...