Holy Cows

From initiation ceremonies in the Eastern Cape to Helen Zille’s Twitter account, South Africa is a place where first world aspirations often clash with third world realities. Acclaimed commentator Gareth van Onselen takes a fresh and fearless look at some of these contradictions and faultlines, from the rise and fall of Nelson Mandela’s Christmas party to the contested meaning of words like ‘respect’ and ‘excellence’.