Readers’ Views Privileged to have been given a second chance by adoption

IREAD with interest “Mom’s tearful hug with child she never knew” (April 5) about the woman who was given up for adoption and who, after 47 years, has met her biological mother.

I, too, am adopted. It has been the most incredible experience and I am so privileged to have been given a second chance! My adoptive parents struggled for many years to have children and then decided on adoption.

I was born in 1976. My mom and dad are the most amazing people, and I love them far more than words can express. From a young age, ever since I could understand, I was made to feel special and unique. I knew that I was adopted and what this meant . . . never once did I feel ashamed or insecure. My folks were both so supportive and even told me that, should I wish to meet my biological parents, they would help me.

This desire never surfaced, but in 2000 we received a phone call from a social worker — my biological father had made contact and was keen to meet me.

I have met both my biological parents. They came to my wedding, and I am in touch with both of them regularly. I count myself truly blessed to have the two amazing sets of people — one who made me and the other who raised me.

My prayer and hope is that many more desperate mothers choose to give their child up for adoption rather than abortion . . . and that those many women who struggle to conceive (I, too, struggled for 10 years to conceive my baby girl) choose to adopt and to open themselves to mothering, caring and bringing up the precious bundle, created by God, never a “mistake”, destined for greatness.

Thank you for the opportunity to share a brief glimpse into my experience.— Cathy, Johannesburg

The law and adoption searches

OUR organisation’s correct name is Adoption Reconnect, not Reconnect Adoption.

We appreciate the publicity given to adoption searches, especially as we are a small group of volunteers who provide this service free of charge. There are thousands of closed adoptions from the ’40s to the early ’80s that have affected many families. Mothers such as Annette are not getting any younger and are reliant on their sons and daughters searching for them, because the law still does not allow any identifying information to be given to the mothers (and fathers). — Anne Reyneke, by e-mail

Three Rs: readin’, writin’, rights

I REFER to “History may be made compulsory in all SA schools” (April 5), and suggest that our constitution be elevated too. There is no reason history or any subject should be considered more important than our constitution. The embarrassment that is felt is the same if children are ignorant of their country’s constitution.

There is no reason the Bible should be prioritised instead of our constitution. Children must be encouraged to learn the constitution by heart just as it was compulsory to learn the Lord’s Prayer in primary school during Bantu education. The children should recite the Bill of Rights contained in our constitution. — Mxolisi Toyitoyi Dimbaza, King William’s Town

Professional cops needed

THE new Professional Police Officers’ Union of South Africa appreciates Redi Tlhabi’s views expressed in “A toxic mix gives criminals the upper hand” (April 5).

Our view, as a new police union, is that the policing function must be professionalised if we are to win the battle against crime. We need a professional law enforcement family, comprising police officers who owe allegiance only to the constitution and the law. The policing function must be extricated from party politics. We have a demoralised national police service and other law enforcement agencies because of political meddling.

The national police commissioner and other senior appointees in the police service must be suitably qualified persons with sufficient experience in policing. The current phenomenon where persons with no policing experience are appointed into senior positions in our police service does nothing to motivate police officers to study and to be upright. — Solomon Maila, Acting President: PPOUSA, by SMS

Screen all incoming foreigners

OUR borders are porous, there is no control on foreigners entering, and our intelligence seems to be so relaxed. Gratitude, at least, is due to those police who managed to infiltrate the syndicate and apprehend those thugs who were causing mayhem in the malls. Yes, foreigners come here looking for greener pastures because of problems in their own countries. But they need to be screened because everyone, even those not adding any value to our country, is let in.

We are facing criminals who do not give a damn about being caught because they are here illegally and have no fixed address. Yes, there are problems within our police system, but for the safety of our citizens, the government must put its house in order. Here’s hoping that what happened in Kenya won’t happen in South Africa.— Soko, Leondale

The pride and glory of Eldos

“HOW Miss SA kept hope alive amid mom’s drug haze” (April 5) refers.

Well done to our Miss South Africa. You have done us proud. I was also born and raised in Eldos. I am proud to say that’s where I am from. Now living in a beautiful suburb in the south. We still attend church in Eldos. All our friends and family live there. My mom, especially, is so proud of you. — Sheryl, by SMS

Elitist surfing history wipeout

“DR Dude rides waves of SA’s surfing history” (April 5) refers.

I applaud Glen Thompson on his thesis on South Africa’s surfing history. However, this country needs to revisit the history of surfing before 1994-95. Surfing has not changed in any way. Symbolically it is an elitist sport.

How do I know this? Through my own experience. As for swimming, I have been teaching people swimming for 30-something years. People of colour have never been welcome unless they mimic the style of wannabe white folk. — Fawzia Collier, by e-mail

Off the phone and back to work

“DURBAN cuts back on staff’s free lunches and phone chats” (April 5) refers.

Well done to eThekwini boss Sibusiso Sithole, whose aim is to cut free lunches and unnecessary phone calls to the tune of between R663-million and R1.65-billion for the 2015-16 financial year. I was shocked to read that an amount of R3.3-million is paid monthly for phone calls. A tall order, but if successful at the end of the financial year, the president should use his expertise so that we as taxpayers will benefit from his cost-cutting measures.— Dhayalan Moodley, Mobeni Heights

All jealous of biffing Jezza

WHILE castigating Jeremy Clarkson in “The blokey, fraudulent cult of Jezza” (April 5), Tim Stanley betrays the usual English envy of anyone who makes a lot of money. Then there is the typically English class consciousness jibe against Clarkson for having attended a public school.

All anti-Clarkson opinions are of the “Hooray, a tall poppy has fallen!” variety.

Clarkson is loved because he never allows himself to be influenced by the flattery and the expense accounts of carmakers. He is also loved for his ability to cut through the cant that rules the British media. That he biffed some junior producer for failing to check whether the hotel could serve a proper meal at the end of a stressful day’s filming is regrettable, but he could have been fined rather than fired by the wimpy management of the BBC. — Keith Bryer, by e-mail

Ja, Noah, well, fine

“BITTERSWEET comic Noah keeps his best laugh for last” (April 5) refers. Trevor Noah, you are making us feel proud to be South African. Love you. — A Jewishborn and-bred South African, by SMS

Bigotry’s bare-faced cheek

“LOCALS bummed as nudists descend on South Coast” (April 5) refers.

South Africa has a coastline 2 798km long, containing dozens of beaches along every kilometre of coastline. How many of those beaches are reserved for non-nudist bathers? All of them! How many are reserved for their equally law-abiding, rates-and-taxes-paying nudity-loving fellow citizens? None!

The nudist community is being far too timid in the face of religious and moral bigots. They should demand that every single beach should include a section, complete with all the necessary facilities, solely for the use of nudists. — Mitch Launspach, Mogale City

Mangcu’s insults to blacks

“SHATTERING the myth that race doesn’t matter” (March 22) refers.

With intellectuals such as Professor Xolela Mangcu, who needs Verwoerd? He must surely be seeking the political kingdom when he so blatantly panders to the lowest common denominators of race and colour. This is exactly how Verwoerd and his gangs justified apartheid.

Professor Mangcu, you managed to transcend your race and became the equal of any academic irrespective of colour. Or are you a token black?

And do you know how insulting your statements are to blacks that the majority of us could never achieve what you did: transcend our blackness? — Black Middle-Class Feminist, Muizenberg