‘When the odds seem insurmountable, don’t underestimate the power of football’

Gasant Abarder|Published

On Sunday Gasant Abarder was part of thousands of spectators who went to watch the Palestine national side play an exhibition match at the Athlone Stadium. The tieties, ...

South Africa found itself on the right side of history

Gasant Abarder|Published

Last week we were reminded what it means to be a South African when our government took Israel to court for war crimes, writes Gasant Abarder.

Is going cashless an exclusionary practice by retailers?

Gasant Abarder|Published

Tapping, scanning and swiping is the new currency that was once dominated by banknotes. But the reality for the majority who live in Cape Town is that cash is their ...

‘We had set a new history in motion’: The Night of Power at the Castle of Good Hope

Gasant Abarder|Published

We were performing acts of worship on the very grounds that our slave ancestors would have been sentenced to death for doing. Not tonight; in a free South Africa, ...

Pwasa asem: An idiot’s guide to Ramadaan on the Cape Flats

Gasant Abarder|Published

I love Ramadaan. It is a time to step back, reflect and consider those less fortunate – through fasting, doing charity and acts of worship. But, like everything ...

The Muslim Judicial Council’s fatwa against homosexuality does more harm than good

Gasant Abarder|Published

The Muslim Judicial Council’s fatwa on homosexuality had less to do about faith and more about leadership, writes Gasant Abarder

You’re 28 tomorrow, South Africa. It’s time you grew up!

Gasant Abarder|Published

Most people have their lives together by the age of 28. We have cut you enough slack, South Africa, over almost three decades. You owe it to all of us to grow up, ...

You’re 28 tomorrow, South Africa. It’s time you grew up!

Gasant Abarder|Published

Most people have their lives together by the age of 28. We have cut you enough slack, South Africa, over almost three decades. You owe it to all of us to grow up, ...

April is an extraordinary month for us to harness our interfaith and connectedness

Gasant Abarder|Published

Ramadan Kareem, blessed Lent, Happy Easter, Ram Navami blessings and Chag Sameach. We are truly blessed in Cape Town to have an interfaith community that can harness ...

Claims against UWC’s 'eviction' of students contain inaccuracies, lies and fabrications

Gasant Abarder|Published

OPINION: The Cape Argus has provided UWC with a copy of communication by Sinazo Raphahlela. The UWC’s Gasant Abarder writes that this communication contains a plethora ...

The day ‘Gafant’ was born on the day of The Arch’s 78th birthday

Gasant Abarder|Published

Former editor of the Cape Times and Cape Argus, Gasant Abarder, remembers Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s love for children and his animated speeches.

The season for kissing babies, cutting ribbons to open pit toilets and non-existent stadiums is upon us

Gasant Abarder|Published

OPINION: The heavy load we’ve carried since the pandemic started has brought home just how petty, transparent and basic politicians are. The electioneering has been ...

Jan Pierewiet should have left all those damn vowels in the 17th century

Gasant Abarder|Published

OPINION: Gasant Abarder ponders why we can’t just stop playing the race card and get along with each other.

Get the facts – the #VaxxFacts – with IOL and UWC

Lance Witten and Gasant Abarder|Published

IOL and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) team up to bring you #VaxxFacts – everything you wanted to know about the Covid-19 vaccine but were too scared to ...

Delta variant, strong like Chuck Norris, had me crying for a Bok and a prayer

Gasant Abarder|Published

OPINION: At 3. 39am on Friday morning of August 6 the symptoms arrived. I then knew why this variant was called Delta. As in Delta Force, featuring Chuck Norris, ...

Covid-19 has curtailed our path to freedom

Gasant Abarder|Published

Before Covid-19, we had tasted freedom, but were we really free if most of the citizens of our beautiful country live in abject poverty and women and children live ...

Bafana-less #FifaWorldCup is here I’m tired of making excuses

Gasant Abarder|Published

The greatest show on earth is here: the World Cup 2018 in Russia. Can you feel it? Erm, ja, not so much here at home, because Bafana Bafana are not there.

Cradock got Freedom Charter’s ideal of ‘The People Shall Govern’

Gasant Abarder|Published

There was a brief period in the mid-1980s when the rural town brought to life what the Freedom Charter meant by the ideal “The People Shall Govern. ”

Calatas are an ordinary couple who are extraordinarily brave

Gasant Abarder|Published

Lukhanyo and Abigail Calata earned my utmost respect when the saga known as the #SABC8 unfolded.

#Sandpapergate not the only stand-off at Newlands last week

Gasant Abarder|Published

During the SA/Aus Test match at Newlands, a battle between a food truck owner and a City of Cape Town official was raging on the sidelines.

Chinese president reaffirms win-win relations

Gasant Abarder|Published

The marathon speech set the agenda for the week of plenaries and sittings to plot the next five years of political governance of China.

'China's position for next five years is to develop Africa'

Gasant Abarder|Published

Brics, of which South Africa is a key member, is one of the drivers of co-operation between China and the developing world.

Zapiro's rape cartoon is indefensible

Gasant Abarder|Published

Jonathan Shapiro was once one of the most incisive, astute political commentators we had, but recently he has become lazy and callous.

Cape Town Cycle Tour: Saddle Up Chapman’s Peak

Gasant Abarder|Published

Shemeeg Salie gives part-time rider Gasant Abarder a master class to help conquer his fear of Chappies and Suikerbossie.

How Danny helped to shift attitudes about the homeless

Gasant Abarder|Published

Gasant Abarder had given strict instructions: he wanted authentic pieces putting the voices of the homeless people first. And then he met Danny Oosthuizen.

The Star