Remember dads in all their guises
C’MON dads! Give us cause to celebrate” (June 19) refers. It’s disappointing to open a paper on Father’s Day and read how inadequate and incompetent most fathers are.
It’s not a bad thing to mention the flaws of and mistakes made by most men and fathers, but having to say so many negative points outweighing the positive is not adding to the solutions.
I’m saying it’s the only day besides their birthdays that fathers are all celebrated and valued. It’s time we appreciated all those who are making it and doing a great job in fathering, becoming superdaddies.
It’s also for those who are single parents, not forgetting those the courts and legal systems have denied fatherhood by snatching their kids from them.
It’s for those who have adopted and are sponsoring children to be educated and be better people, taking over the irresponsible fathers’ duties. Lastly, for those who have taken on a big responsibility and are making sure a person’s soul and spirit are being fed by their pastor, counsellor and someone always praying for them. — Sibusiso, by e-mail
Fathers can be coached
THE article made for a great read and speaks many truths. The question is, how do we as men and fathers take this to the community?
I for one would be happy to be involved in a mentoring and coaching programme run in communities to advise and listen to the challenges we all face as fathers.
It’s how we respond to our children that makes the difference. — Dorian Cabral, by e-mail
Support the whistleblowers
JUDGE Mogoeng Mogoeng is commendable for his heroism in “Racism: Time to go back to the basics” (June 19).
We should not only do good to the disadvantaged people outside our places of work, but also to those who are doing good in our service.
A certain lady working for the Department of Justice sounded a trumpet against a white official who was embezzling estate money. She was emotionally abused as a result. The senior officials under whose hierarchy she fell did not protect her; instead, some conspired with those who were abusing her.
She left her place of work as a result. The department dismissed her for having absconded.
She reported the matter to the public protector, who investigated the matter and found she had acted correctly. Thanks to Advocate Thuli Madonsela for her reinstatement. — M Nqoro, Cape Town
Elite have forsaken UWC
YOU report Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng asking why black companies don’t hire black lawyers instead of white lawyers.
Here is another question no one asks in print: the University of the Western Cape boasts that one-third of Nelson Mandela’s cabinet came from UWC, and of its historical role in our liberation struggle.
Today, it graduates 100 PhD students each year. But how many of the 63 ANC ministers and deputy ministers today send their children to UWC instead of to a historically advantaged university? Three? One? Zero? — Keith Gottschalk, Claremont
Playing with fire, Hogarth
“BOY Scout breaks wind” (June 19) refers. Wake up, Hogarth. It has already been reported that Athol Trollip may be charged for helping those people with the fire. Guess who wants to charge him for interfering?
Yep, the ANC. Come on man, be honest in your column. — Jay, by SMS
Noakes advice is old hat
“GLOBAL experts chew the fat with Noakes” (June 19) refers. All Tim Noakes had to do was tell his patients to follow the Atkins (Banting) diet and be aware of the glycaemic index.
There was no need to publish an expensive book with ridiculous recipes and encourage a pricey industry selling coconut flour, almond flour and other products.
I followed the Atkins diet more than 30 years ago when I was diagnosed with chronic low blood sugar, and lost 30kg without resorting to expensive foods and silly recipes.
Look up the original Banting diet (1872) and you will see that Mr Banting was allowed fruit, vegetables and small amounts of starch (toast and rusks) as well as three to four glasses of claret or
Generosity of spirit
I WISH to take issue with the obituary “Bill Johnson: Upstart riding ace who stole the heart of an Oppenheimer” (June 19).
While the obituary is factually correct, the perspective and tone of the piece do not portray the spirit or the character of the real Bill Johnson.
Bill had a generosity of spirit that had to be experienced to be believed. He had a work ethic that would have made any army colonel proud. There was no Monday to Friday for Bill — he worked seven days a week and always with a smile on his face. He worked alongside his stable hands and no task was too menial for him.
Bill inspired people to do their best and coaxed them into achieving things they never believed possible. He was a firm taskmaster and expected his pupils to apply themselves to get the best results. His yard, Ascot, was pristine.
In an industry plagued by people who overpromise and underdeliver, Bill shone like a shaft of light. In his dealings he was scrupulously honest. He was passionate about the sherry daily. — Noreen Easton, Benoni
Marching to a different tune
DEAR Titi, who wrote “The hidden side of June 16” (Letters to the Editor, June 19): When you complain of the June 16 massacres, saying it wasn’t a peaceful march — when some of the oppressed “citizens” were at least fighting to be taught in only one non-mother tongue (ideally the most useful and international) — you ruin your credibility when you raise your voice against pointless and violent marches. Also, your lack of empathy is embarrassing. — M Alves, by SMS
Informal tutors fill vital gap
“MATRIC hopes rise from the ashes” (June 19) refers. I am pleased to see that young South Africans are showing others the importance of education by providing tutoring support after the schools were burnt.
This needs to be supported. — Marcia Small, by e-mail horses at Ascot and would go to great lengths to ensure that they were carefully looked after.
To pass off Bill’s marriage to Sandy in a sentence is nothing short of tasteless.
Sandy may have started off as a young pupil with Bill, but what was not mentioned was the deep love that was so obvious between the two of them.
Yes, Bill utilised some colourful language, and was well known for being liberal with expletives, but he got his point across and invariably the pupil came out the winner. — Jo New, by e-mail
Last-gasp victory
“WHAT a comeback!” (June 19) refers. Clearly the scribe saw the socalled comeback through rose-tinted glasses as he blows wind under the Bok coach’s kilt. The fact that Allister Coetzee loaded his bench with talented Lions players who would have the vitality when Ireland was “hyperventilating” says much about his starting line-up selections.
If anything is evident, Coetzee’s life expectancy was reduced by five years during the match, all in the interests of pleasing the minister of sport. — Keith C, by e-mail