South Africa Pushes To Make The Cup Its Own
by Celia W. Dugger (Profile/Interview | New York Times - May 23)
The official mascot of Africa’s first World Cup — a stuffed leopard with spiked green hair — was made in China. The official World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” was written by the Colombian pop star Shakira. The official restaurant? McDonald’s. more details | go to article

A Bus System Reopens Rifts In South Africa
by Celia W. Dugger (Article | New York Times - February 21)
Since the days of apartheid, when blacks were required to live in distant townships like this, Susan Hanong, a 67-year-old maid, has commuted to the wealthy northern suburbs of Johannesburg, one of the spectral figures trudging through darkened streets on long trips to wash white people’s clothes and mind their children. more details | go to article