 | I’ve been meaning to get out of the house and protest. Marx laid down the law for anyone even vaguely aggrieved with how society is run: “The philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point is to change it.” That’s a pretty clear injunction to get off our complacent asses and see what needs to be done. ...read more |
The Muck of Ages
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 by Brandon Edmonds
The Wrong Idea
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 by Andrei Van Wyk, images by Paris Brummer
 | Between 2006 and 2008 Fokofpolisiekar was probably the most influential rock band in South Africa. People of every race have listened to, and enjoyed their music. Their lines were powerful, filled with depth, challenging conventions within traditional Afrikaans culture, and South African culture at large. They took a critical look at concepts such as Tradition, Angst, Despair and the Christian Faith. But more importantly, their lyrics supported the idea that Afrikaaners, and whites in general, are “African”. ...read more |
Blonde Wrecking Ball
Friday, January 27th, 2012 by Andy Davis
 | Schalk Burger is a South African rugby icon, and widely tipped to become the next Springbok captain. Mahala’s Andy Davis had a long chat with the blonde wrecking ball. Mahala: So what I heard on my way here, in the car they were talking about David Pocock. His autobiography just came out and he’s admitted to being bulimic. And that just made me think about David Pocock, and I was suddenly all angry again about that game. Are you over ...read more |
Meme of the Week | Would Not Bang
Thursday, January 26th, 2012 by Brandon Edmonds
 | Memes are a pure snort of internet. These evanescent time-wasters are the perfect accompaniment to the dead hours of the dead end service economy. Folk expressions of the post-industrial setting of work today. The mind life of bored kids stuck in underfunded educational settings and people in cubicles staring at screens. We don’t make stuff anymore. Not physically. That’s all been shipped to China and India where people work cheap. Work is mind-fatiguing in a knowledge economy. Ideas hold sway. ...read more |
Jack Parow and The Nature of Inbreeding
Friday, January 20th, 2012 by Max Barashenkov
 | The Patriarch pulled his cock out of his son, slapped the hairy ass and said, “that’s it, Jack, you’re ready for real stardom now.” The younger man hitched up his shorts, wiped the snot from his moustache and vacated the place for the next sibling to receive the blessing. Fame Under The Mountain is hard earned, the family demanding and merciless to those that stray beyond the caravan park, but, as the Patriarch likes to say, inbreeding sells. Success is ...read more |
My Mouth Works
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 by Rob Cockcroft, images by Luke Daniel
 | Not many Mzansi rappers can say they’ve achieved what 20 year-old Youngsta has in the two short years of his music career. Since his first appearance on the scene in 2010 he’s dropped 23 mixtapes, a full-length album, occupied charts on Goodhope and 5FM and rocked big shows in Cape Town and Jozi. ...read more |
Of Bacon, Snouts and Everything Hog
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 by Max Barashenkov, images by Moonbeaming.co.za
 | The last horn riff has rung out, the rude boys have skanked their last pit, the South African ska scene fades into a checkered memory. Hog Hoggidy Hog, the last tangible bastion of the genre, have played their farewell show on Friday, a final wag of corkscrew tails. After 17 years of honing their chops on local stages, they’re off to the more profitable sties of Europe, where a tight ska-punk outfit is still appreciated. ...read more |
TZ Deluxe
Friday, January 13th, 2012
 | So here’s the Friday afternoon hook up! Tumi (from the Volume) and Zubz spent 3 days making this all original Kwaito tribute mixtape. And we got it for you to download for FREE! Mahala-style. Just click click and enjoy! Do it now, before the link expires. ...read more |
Unprofessional Humans
Friday, January 13th, 2012 by Roger Young
 | On Dana, Suttle and Zille. In the Wikipedia description of Woody Allen’s Zelig, the titular character, a human chameleon who seamlessly inserts himself into historical events, is described thus, “Zelig yearns for approval so strongly he physically changes to fit in with those around him.” Ladies and gentlemen, meet the professional mlungu, Devon Marshbank. ...read more |
It Could Be Worse
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 by TO Molefe, illustration by Rico
 | Sitting at the counter inside the Vida looking out on the Street, I notice walking on the pavement a man – except he is not a man. He is far less. He is a bergie. Uncertain, he hesitates before (and this is me, assuming) hunger presses him forward. He approaches a young man sitting at the tables outside. The young man has a perfectly coiffed quiff and is wearing round eyeglasses. Hand cupped under hand, the lesser man asks for ...read more |
