Why we aren’t really Charlie

I am not Charlie. For more than a decade I have written satire for a living and for pleasure, but in those few instances where I was presented with a genuinely dangerous target, I backed down. I am not willing to die for an idea. I’m not even sure that I admire those who are.

Accidents of history

Cape Town’s official plans for June 16 are, as always, sober. The flags at the Castle will fly at half-mast. Churches will remain open to encourage personal reflection, but all other workplaces will be shut. For those citizens who want to share in a more communal commemoration, the traditional march-past in Adderley Street will begin