EDITOR’S NOTE

TECHNOLOGY can be bad for society, as the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook scandal proved this week. But if used prudently, it’s a blessing.

This week saw the disappearance of a subspecies of rhino, but technology may save the day – and the northern white rhino (page 7).

Still on matters environmental, can we tap into the vast economic potential of our sea without causing damage? That is a question some science students are grappling with at the start of their Ocean Stewards’ journey (page 8). Ben Trovato pens a letter to the “Donald Trump of Australia” about the “oppressed” white farmers (page 14). He puts his hand up for inclusion in the special visa list.

Facebook’s dangerous platform problems seem to have multiplied as it got bigger and more complex, while its ability to deal with the challenges remained constant. This is argued by a New York Times journalist following what I’d call the vote capture scandal that has shaken the social media giant (page 15). Is it time for stricter regulation? It’s time for a return to old, trusted traditional media like this – if I may say so.

Former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu caused a lot of pain. She also sullied the good name of radical economic transformation (page 16).

Professor George Devenish reflects on

EFF deputy leader Floyd Shivambu’s assault of a journalist (page 18). Dennis Pather enters the fray as to whether the Madiba government set South

Africa up for failure.

Our Big Issue (page 19) is, again, the land question. Thami ka Plaatjie responds to the “propaganda”. And the “Aussie Trump”, Peter Dutton, should be made to bump shoulders with our heavyweight honourable Shivambu, KG Rabada-style, should he ever set foot in our peaceful, non-racial Mzansi.