Would Rabbi Goldstein have approved of bombing Qunu?

‘CHIEF rabbi slates Duarte comment” (July 13) refers. Rabbi Warren Goldstein is within his rights to criticise the ANC, the only political party in South Africa that has publicly spoken out against the bombing and killing of innocent Palestinians during the auspicious month of Ramadan, but he forgets that the three Israeli youths were killed by unknown people, and everyone condemned this and would assist in tracking down the killers.

Would Goldstein have approved an Israeli-style bombing of Qunu (Madiba’s village), Bizana (Oliver Tambo and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s) or Cofimvaba (Chris Hani’s) as an act of retaliation for housing “terrorists”, as Madiba was once called by many in South Africa?

This is precisely what Goldstein is defending. Israel, for all its intelligence, chooses to use air strikes on innocent people — just as PW Botha bombed the ANC in Botswana and Lesotho.

Israel is part and parcel of the Middle East and needs to make peace with its people, including the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The situation calls for the disbandment of the Palestinian Authority and a one man, one vote unitary state in which all Israelis participate and which they protect (with the help of the world), making the Middle East a much safer place.

Killing innocent civilians cannot, will not and never will be justified, regardless of who does it. — Muhammad Omar, Durban North

No wedding night, I hope

I REFER to “Boy-husband seals the deal with bride, 62” (July 13). Well, I hope the ancestors never expect them to consummate the wedding. — TK Malambe, by SMS

Educational psychology helps

“SA’s sick state of mental health” (July 6) refers. There are limited posts for psychologists in state and welfare services. The historical lack of mental health services in South Africa is in serious need of redress.

One way in which educational psychologists may reach more members is through their work in school communities and other mental health settings.

Educational psychologists often work with clients with disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence, cognitive disorders, mental disorders owing to medical conditions, substance-related disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, eating disorders, sleep disorders, adjustment disorders and personality disorders.

Less often, some educational psychologists work with clients who experience schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders and delirium, dementia and amnestic disorder.

We, the chairmen of the educational psychology division of the Psychological Society of South Africa, the Educational Psychology Association of South Africa and the South African School Psychologists’ Association, support the call for the development of a national mental health strategy and plan, as discussed in the journal Global Health Action. — Greg Crighton, Martin Strous and Brandon Swanepoel

Hospital in steep decline

TINTSWALO Hospital, which you reported on in “Mpumalanga hospital’s medical-waste shame” (July 13), is our nearest hospital. It was once called the Swedish Mission Hospital. The quality of care was excellent.

Now I can only salute some of the staff members I am acquainted with, who are still professional in spite of the many challenges. It no longer has its former glory. A few years ago , as my husband was being prepared for an operation, the nurse rummaged under a sink, producing a theatre gown among several lying in a dishevelled heap. I was horrified.

These are matters that should also be addressed, apart from the state of the building, to ensure a decent service to the community. — Sandra, by e-mail

Untruths in Botman obituary

CHRIS Barron’s obituary “Russel Botman: Theologian and first black vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University” (July 6) was based on a number of untruths and was an unreasonable report of a respected person affiliated to a respected institution. Examples of these untruths are: Language policy: The reference to a dual-medium language policy is incorrect. The university has a diversified multilingual approach, which acknowledges the complexities of a multinational and multiracial institution. Stating that Botman failed in implementing a certain language policy is not correct.

Accusation of nepotism: The university has a prescribed process for appointing staff, irrespective of the level of the post or an affinity with existing staff members. The facts are that Professor Edna van Harte was appointed executive assistant by the rector at the time, Professor Chris Brink, from 2002 to 2004. She was appointed dean of students by council from 2004 to 2006. Brink appointed her acting dean at the faculty of military science from May to December 2006. Council appointed her dean of the faculty of military science from January 2007 to December 2011 after the position was advertised and two candidates reached the shortlist. She was 58 when appointed and could only serve for one term.

Botman’s alleged time spent abroad: During his term, the university’s international stature was greatly improved and it achieved positions in three world university ranking lists. — Susan van der Merwe, acting head: communication and liaison, Stellenbosch University

We accept that Professor Edna van Harte’s position was widely advertised before her appointment and that Botman did not make the appointment. We apologise for the errors.

Down on the farm

Your report “‘We starved along with the pigs’ ” (July 13) was a very painful story. I’m really touched by how the people we entrusted to run our country fail to run their own homes and businesses. South Africa will never prosper because of these individuals. Thandi Modise failed when she was North West premier and now she is [National Council of Provinces chairwoman].— Sello, by e-mail

Echoes of Mugabe

BARNEY Mthombothi’s “Stench is overpowering with pigs in charge on our farm of horrors” (July 13), in which he quotes President Jacob Zuma as saying “there’s nothing wrong with Nkandla, there’s something wrong with them”, reminded me of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.

Under pressure from a US official in the mid-’90s, who was pointing out rising unemployment, inflation, and so on, Mugabe responded: “There’s nothing wrong in Zimbabwe, but there’s something wrong outside Zimbabwe!” There we go. — Clever Dlamini, by SMS

DA needs to offer solutions

‘HIGH-handed DA needs political rehab to cure its ‘must’ addiction” (July 13) refers. I have to agree that the DA’s “must” is just as counter-productive as the ANC’s and trade unions’ “we demand”. The DA needs to stop criticising everything and start creating alternatives. — JL, by e-mail

Fill NPA job by committee

‘MURDER, assault charges back to haunt NPA boss” (July 13) refers. It is about time the position of head of the National Prosecuting Authority is filled through a committee like the Judicial Service Commission.— Gwen Mbetha, by SMS