What message do our tainted envoys send?

‘ZUMA’S VIP protector gets top foreign post” (November 22) refers. How serious is the government about foreign policy?

The appointment of some ambassadors is troubling. This observation comes after the revelation that Chris Ngcobo, the former acting police intelligence head who was found guilty of falsely claiming that he had a matric certificate, is being groomed to be the next ambassador to Mali.

Political patronage — what the Americans call “pork” — is a common trait of many countries. Why should the ANC government be faulted when it caters for its own (for Ngcobo is reported to have been a member of Umkhonto weSizwe)? Indeed, the ANC government has been very generous in splashing around ambassadorial positions, even extending them to moribund leaders and members of opposition parties. There is nothing illegal about this.

But what does it say about the political fibre of South Africa and the government when it glibly posts people tainted by political scandals? What does this do to the morale of the professionals in the Department of International Relations, not to mention ambassadors who deserve to be where they are? Do they feel respected when they are saddled with people of questionable backgrounds?

What message is being sent to the host countries? Are they not going to feel that they are not being taken seriously? It appears untenable that South Africa would be treating African states so shabbily when it claims that its foreign policy is primarily focused on the continent. — Thabisi Hoeane, Pretoria East

Doing apartheid’s work

“A TEXTBOOK case of the state’s failure to honour its pledges” (November 22) refers.

The court case instituted by Basic Education for All is of paramount importance as the Department of Basic Education, in total disregard for the court order given by Judge Neil Tuchten last year, has still not awarded the contracts for the delivery of the 2015 books and stationery.

It will be logistically difficult, if not impossible, to provide each pupil “with his or her own textbook for each subject of study, on time at the start of the school year”.

To deprive children of an education is a crime against humanity. It cannot be entirely blamed on those dealing with these tenders. Bribing and greedy businessmen, provincial education department management and staff, heads of schools and politicians wishing to augment their salaries are sacrificing our children’s future.

I trust they will spare a thought for how they perpetuate apartheid’s crimes when spending their “clever money” this festive season. — Johannes Erasmus, by e-mail

His mama raised him right

“BOY donates piggy bank, receives iPad” (November 22) refers.

What a ray of heart-warming light. Brings new meaning to “Give and it shall be given to you!” Jack, 7, from Texas, empties his piggy bank of $20 as a donation to a local mosque, vandalised after the Paris attacks.

It takes parental example for young children to learn love and tolerance for others. Hats off to his mother and bless his little socks! — Vivienne Lloyd, by e-mail

Proud son of KwaZulu-Natal

IN Telford Vice’s “Bowlers needed — fast” (November 22), he lists a number of former pacemen from South Africa. He includes Mike Procter (as he should) but then states that “he was borrowed from what we now call Zimbabwe”. Although Zimbabwe provided the South African test side with a number of quality cricketers, including Colin Bland, the Pithey brothers, and fast bowlers Goofy Lawrence and Joe Partridge, Procter was not one of them.

Procter is a born-and-bred Natalian. Although he did play for the erstwhile Rhodesia in the Currie Cup, this was only from 1970 onwards, after his (too short) test career ended. — Marius Roodt, Germiston

I’m not not loving it

“FIVE campaigns that caused a stink” (November 22) refers.

My view regarding the McDonald’s ad is simply that we have freedom of choice and expression. McDonald’s chose to use a local entertainer who it (I assume) felt would best get its product exposure, and I support the initiative to give up-and-coming personalities opportunity. — Ridwaan Docrat, by e-mail

Value in those who quit SA

“SHORT-sighted politicians must make peace with SA’s diaspora” (November 22) refers.

How do you put a value on South Africa’s diaspora? Perhaps the South African government could learn from my homeland, Ireland, and how important it believes the Irish diaspora is to Ireland. There are 30 000 Irish passport holders in South Africa, part of our 72 million diaspora around the world.

The UK is a major recipient of South Africa’s emigrants. Their work ethic is valued and appreciated in the UK, as it is in every country that South Africans emigrate to. They are also immensely proud of their native country. It is amazing to see the number of South African shops in the UK.

And then there is their economic value to South Africa as they return home to see the loved ones. Let us not forget the world-class businesses that have moved overseas — SAB, Anglo American et cetera. They are also part of South Africa’s diaspora. The country should be proud of the way it has changed. And continues to change. — Edwin Doran, by e-mail

Dogmatic about doctrine

WITH reference to “Church needs to catch up” (Letters, November 22), I do not regret becoming a Presbyterian either. If those two ministers feel that way, they must feel free to join any other church that accepts gay rights and not expect the Presbyterian Church to change its doctrine to suit them. — Sally Keyser, Jeffreys Bay