Irresponsible of DA to join racist chorus

THE DA is again pursuing a vendetta against one of its own. This time the target is Helen Zille and the weapon is, once more, the race card.

Nowadays, I find it quite a challenge being a member of the white race group in South Africa. We are, after all, a product of our heritage.

How sad it is to see the DA, our one hope for a decent future, irresponsibly joining the racist chorus and raising the temperature at such a time.

What else is one to make of the vindictive pursuit of Zille (like Dianne Kohler Barnard before her), on trumped-up charges? Ms Zille’s remarks, that colonialism brought about certain benefits, are surely fair comment? The lady’s credentials in opposing racial oppression over the years are beyond question, so why the witch-hunt?

It seems the DA’s black leaders are always ready to pounce, desperate to be first in the denouncement queue, in the hope of winning votes, exactly like the ANC.

I think DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s selective morality is an insult to voters, regardless of colour.

Why, for instance, has the party not launched a campaign against its own MEC for human settlements, one Bonginkosi Madikizela?

After all, he slated his leader as “not being black enough because he is married to a white woman”.

One would think this is particularly nasty, highly personal, racist slander, warranting instant dismissal. But what happened? Madikizela has just been elected leader of the DA in the Western Cape!

And, while we are about it, perhaps someone can explain the shocking scenes of thousands of African citizens drowning as they try desperately to get to Europe, to countries governed by the offspring of colonialists? — Jeff van Belkum, Warner Beach

Nuclear power explained

IN his column “Halting nuclear build with pen and paper” (April 16) Peter Bruce discussed the proposed nuclear new build procurement. Many of the points he makes are debatable.

While Rosatom (Russia) has by far the biggest export order book in the world for nuclear reactors, Bruce appears to ignore the following: that Areva (France) exports to Finland and China; Korea exports four units to the United Arab Emirates; Westinghouse (US) exports four units to China and China exports around six units to Pakistan.

Eskom believes that the selection criteria will minimise the commercial and technical risk, and that several countries will meet these criteria.

Clearly there may be some differentiation between different proposals depending on the specific details. To assume the selection of a specific technology or related vendor is pre-arranged undermines the credibility of the National Treasury’s oversight of the procurement processes for state-owned companies.

Bruce refers to the programme as unnecessary, and questions why it is being pursued at this time.

This concern is presented as if choosing new power stations to meet the national need in the next 10-20 years was an option that the country could forgo without any risk.

Eskom has looked into the future and determined that there is little or no international experience to support the entire grid on a renewable-based technology.

It must therefore consider what is needed to replace the current 34GW of older, coal-fired power stations that are the backbone of the national power supply.

These will be coming offload over the next 20 years, given the current 50-year lifespan.

If one accepts the need to keep the lights on 24/7 and meet the needs of society, then a dispatchable, baseload backbone to the system is required. Around the world this is supplied by coal-fired plant, hydropower, natural gas or nuclear power.

Unfortunately, South Africa has no sites for large-scale hydro-power plants or natural gas. In the case of natural gas there may be the prospect of “shale gas”, but none has yet been commercially confirmed and cannot be the basis of a national policy until it is.

The environmental issues surrounding fossil fuel lead Eskom’s belief that the nuclear plants are the best long-term option for the country. — David Nicholls, chief nuclear officer, Eskom, Johannesburg

Crucifixion cartoon offends FOR me, Zapiro is one of the most brilliant cartoonists in South Africa and I have been following his work for years — but did not appreciate his humour on April 16.

I know he was trying to portray South Africa as being crucified by the leadership, some of whom did not want to take responsibility for what was happening in the country. But I am a Christian, and for me the symbol of Jesus on the cross is one of the most sacred of the Christian faith.

I found it deeply offensive to see the picture of the crucifixion used in the cartoon. — Anna Wilczkiewicz, Pretoria We have a right to protest

IN her article “Kumbaya and kombucha: a protest about white protest” (April 16), Bianca Capazorio diminishes legitimate protest.

By her logic, apparently, we just have to take it and do nothing. — Peter Boyes, Durban

Inspiring us to objectivity

CONGRATULATIONS on the inspiring opinion articles in last week’s edition.

Hats off to Peter Bruce, S’thembiso Msomi, Chris Barron, Jeremy Gauntlett and Bianca Capazorio.

The essence of our predicament is clear: there has been a coup of our country and of our resources, to feed the greed of those in power to the detriment of all of us.

Yes, these leaders claim they “really” serve the interests of sidelined people, but see who “really” benefits.

If the Sunday Times can come up with such insightful articles, they (with some other newspapers) could continue the trend and lead us all towards objective and moral thinking.

We need it as never before. —Wim van der Walt, Bellville