Bruce Stephenson

1 month ago | citizen.co.za | Nothando Mhlongo |Bruce Stephenson

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”This famous line by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher reminds us that while government handouts may sound good, someone still has to foot the bill. In all the hanna-hanna over the proposal to increase VAT by 1% over the next two years, it is worth recalling from 2020 Sars data that 5.2 million individuals, (representing about 9% of the population), contribute 40% of South Africa’s total tax revenue.

1 month ago | citizen.co.za | Nothando Mhlongo |Bruce Stephenson

It was good, the other night, to see loads of familiar faces that we haven’t seen in ages. Just because Ballito has become so damned big. The latest trick to get us out of our houses and be sociable is StorySlam, brought to our neck of the woods by Brettenwood mover and shaker Karen Doveton. It’s a craze around the world, apparently, and aims at bringing a community together through shared stories. (It’s a new take on what the Courier has been doing for the past 39 years!).

2 months ago | citizen.co.za | Nothando Mhlongo |Bruce Stephenson

We English-speakers have been getting the short end of the stick for far too long. When the Nats were running the country, it was payback time for the Boer Wars, so the donderse Engelse had to look out for themselves. Afrikaners made sure they were top dogs in all State enterprises, like the civil service, defence force, railways etc. But did we complain? Never! We maintained a stiff upper lip at all times.

2 months ago | citizen.co.za | Nothando Mhlongo |Bruce Stephenson

Only five minutes into the gate, we were surrounded by a pack of 12 wild dogs. They were racing up and down alongside the Umfolozi River and around our car. The adults were trying to cross the river while the young ones gambolled on the wide sandbank, doing what wild dogs do. What they were up to – yipping and racing up and down – we had no idea, but it was a magical sighting of these beautiful, painted creatures.

Jan 25, 2025 | citizen.co.za | Kabelo Pheeloane |Bruce Stephenson

Say “retirement village” and I immediately picture somewhere like the older Ambers in Howick, little square houses all the same, chocolate box garden out front, old folks drifting about like memories. What a pleasant surprise then to visit Brettenwood’s retirement village last Saturday. It’s nothing like what I imagined. Most of the houses are well spaced out, hidden from one another by the abundant trees and woody undergrowth.