Author:sharmini-naidoo

Fair is foul and foul is fair June 3, 2026 In an era shaped by deception, manipulation and public spectacle, the themes explored by renowned playwright and poet William Shakespeare centuries ago continue to mirror the realities of politics, business and modern society. From smear campaigns and corruption to ambition, betrayal and power struggles, SHARMINI NAIDOO says the bard’s observations of human behaviour remain remarkably relevant today. Shakespeare was a maestro at capturing the essence of his times and mirroring […]

Criminality, political interference and corruption at SAPS – an utter disgrace! May 6, 2026 The Madlanga Commission has exposed shocking allegations of corruption, political interference and criminality within SAPS. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that this raises urgent questions about accountability, whistleblower protection and the true cost to South Africans. Even amid the deepening fuel crisis, the proceedings of the Madlanga Commission – also known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System […]

Fuel prices surge as global tensions escalate April 7, 2026 Global tensions in the Middle East are sending shockwaves through oil markets, with direct consequences for South Africa. As fuel prices, supply and economic stability hang in the balance, understanding these impacts is essential. SHARMINI NAIDOO unpacks the situation. From as early as the 1870s, South Africa has been part of the global economy. It suffered isolation during the apartheid era but is now fully integrated back into the global […]

Water shouldn’t be delivered on trucks … February 19, 2026 Water is a basic human right – yet in South Africa, criminal networks often profit from its absence, using tankers to replace the pipes the government has long abandoned. “Water is essential for life and is supposed to be a basic right,” notes the United Nations (UN), recognising access to water as a human right fundamental to “everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity”. The right to water has also been provided […]

Bring back our humanity February 9, 2026 If you’re still recovering from the whirlwind of the previous year, you are not alone. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that recent months have exposed troubling gaps in how we approach road safety and collective responsibility in South Africa.  At the start of the year, we saw severe weather conditions sweep across South Africa and other parts of the world. On the home front, this prompted the declaration of a National State of Disaster in […]

Piercing the SOE veil December 2, 2025 South Africans have paid billions to rescue failing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) crippled by corruption, mismanagement and zero accountability – while executives walk away enriched and taxpayers are left bleeding. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that this needs to stop. Over the past 15 years, South Africans have paid R521 billion to bail out corrupt and mismanaged SOEs, according to Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana. In reality, the figure may be closer to R670 billion or […]

The power of a lie November 10, 2025 A single lie can unravel lives, relationships and even nations. As SHARMINI NAIDOO notes, lies that are repeated and reinforced corrode trust, distort reality and erode the moral foundations of society. Did you know that if you tell a lie often enough, people will start to believe it? This is, in fact, a technique used by politicians to manipulate facts and shape public perception, called the “Big Lie”. Lies, untruths, mistruths, half-truths […]

SA money woes, priorities and values… October 6, 2025 South Africa is drowning in debt while spending billions on global summits and costly commissions. SHARMINI NAIDOOsays this raises urgent questions about priorities, values, and whether governance failures undermine the nation’s fragile economic future. South Africa’s debt levels remain high and continue to increase, and we’re spending around R1.2 billion per day on debt service (interest). There are no signs of this abating. It is therefore unsurprising to hear that our […]

A hope for better days September 8, 2025 Spring brings renewal, but South Africa faces headwinds. From US tariffs shaking exports to political scandals and pay reform, uncertainty looms. Can these challenges spark change, or will they deepen the crisis? SHARMINI NAIDOO is hoping for better days ahead… September is here already, and spring is in the air. Typically known as a season of regrowth and renewal, Spring marks nature’s awakening from winter’s dormancy to vibrant life. It symbolises new […]

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times August 6, 2025 Amid rising political turmoil and deepening corruption scandals, South Africa faces a reckoning. SHARMINI NAIDOO unpacks shocking developments in government and transport to reveal a system under strain and truth on the brink. If the 2025 astrological predictions are to be believed, then this year’s planetary movements – transit of Saturn into Pisces (the karmic disciplinarian that governs hidden matters), Pluto moving into the 11th […]