Fighting the �criminal� stigma in mapantsula

Chillie Pantsula and his crew PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Chillie Pantsula and his crew PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Mapantsula used to be slick and well-dressed dangerous young men. The Sophiatown’s most feared American Gang for instance wore expensive American clothes - elegant cardigans, brown and white Florsheim shoes and blue trousers that used to be called Bogarts.

Peter Magubane’s iconic picture of the American Gang seating pretty in a convertible is big reference point of this era. But that is all history now.

A new breed of mapantsula, born in the streets of Mogoditshane, looks the same from the elegant American Gang but he is a totally different breed from the yesteryear feared pantsulas of Sophiatown.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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