http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/stevenfriedman/2007/10/17/the-people-our-national-debate-does-not-see-or-hear/
&
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/dailymailer.aspx?ID=BD4A588878

The people our national debate does not see or hear

Steven Friedman

Do our public commentators know nothing about the lives of grassroots South Africans? Or do we simply not care?

One of the more important plusses of our democracy is that we still have a loud and vigorous national debate. Despite worrying signs that politicians might want to reign in the media, we are often able to know what dirt there is (or is alleged to be) on our political leaders. And commentators are free to say what they like — even if it is what our leaders don't like.