Vodacom prize – the winning columns

For anyone keen to read the actual columns in question that brought in a (joint) win as best columnist Western Cape in Vodacom’s Journalist of the Year Awards, I’ve posted them here.

With Teeth, is a regular fixture in The Big Issue, which supports the homeless and unemployed by providing them with a hand-up not a hand-out.

I’m thrilled to say it’s the second year in a row that the column has won the category.

• “Pest Control” looks at how Jacob Zuma might want to consider implementing an updated campaign against The Four Harms ala Mao Zedong. Only, whereas Chairman Mao declared war against sparrows, flies, mosquitoes and rats, the focus of the ANC President’s pest control programme is on tackling scorpions, weaselly former associates, bearish big business and, of course, putting down those mad mongrel dogs of the media.

• “Privacy” examines how Facebook and social networking sites have us willingly dishing up personal and sensitive information on our religious beliefs, political leanings and sexuality for free that oppressive governments would have paid a pretty penny for during the reign of the Stasi or Special Branch.

• “Mugabe is the next Al Gore” puts forward everyone’s favourite dictator for the role of global anti-consumerism campaign hero in the wake of last year’s riots in Zimbabwe, price-slashing and empty supermarket shelves.
Full columns after the jump…

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Syncing Up

Writers like to believe that their writing reflects the real world. But sometimes the synchronicity can be a little scary, especially when you thought you were writing about a crazy future and it turns out it’s all a little closer than you really feel comfortable with.

Moxyland always had its roots in real intersects of technology and culture. It’s based on surveillance society and RFID (radio frequency ID) chips built-in to passports, social networking and the Lucky Strike parties and brand ambassadors who get free kit.
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