We’ve come so far Julius, don’t undo race relations

An open letter to Julius Malema

YOUR speech at your party’s anniversary celebrations in Durban would have, ordinarily, been one of great praise for a surprisingly unexpected windfall in terms of votes in the 2014 national elections and last year’s local government elections.

The joyousness of such celebrations was tainted as you chose to unleash a tirade at the Indian community in Kwazulunatal. Your speech chastising Indians for their apparent poor treatment of “blacks” in the province borders on incitement.

My distinct aversion to employing the race card aside, I am compelled to respond to what I believe, with which many I have spoken to concurred, that your statements are as fallacious as they are a ploy at political mischief to gain you votes come 2019.

I am Indian by classification, South African by patriotism, and I venture to state that I will never remain silent on matters that purport to deepen the racial divide that currently rests on a very delicate equilibrium.

The Indian community in South Africa is worthy of emulation. The discriminatory laws relegating them to second class citizens, with the accompanying oppression, was equally painful as that of our black brethren. This did not deter their flair, ingenuity and resilience to succeed in virtually every facet of life, notably business. With Mahatma Gandhi, whose arrival on these shores ignited a fire of determination that still burns brightly, the Indian community contributed significantly to South Africa’s success.

You state that you were informed by people, in your “research” undertaken in KZN, that Indian business people pay “black” workers with food parcels. I believe even you would not believe that. And if you did, I am certain you would confront such people with the same filibustering you employ in Parliament.

I understand that you have an obsession to see the political demise of Jacob Zuma. I am also aware that Zuma’s questionable association with the Guptas (of Indian origin) has raised your ire on many occasions. Could this be the undercurrent of your dissatisfaction with Indians per se or have you verifiable evidence that gives you the right to implicate all “Indian” businesses as exploiters of “black” employees?

I concede, in part, that certain perceptions were created with regards to the “Indian” in terms of their business acumen and astuteness but it is opprobrious to paint an entire community with a discoloured brush – that is bound to have repercussions.

South Africa can ill afford anyone in a position of influence to use platforms to incite, defame and ultimately place at risk its own citizens because political expediency dictates it could lead to vote winning. You are guilty of that. I appeal to you on behalf of the Indian community to retract your statements immediately without reservation.

Narendh Ganesh Durban North

YOU have just got to love Ben Trovato’s Durban Poison – you laugh, you cry, you wet yourself!

Last Sunday’s story was on his father going in for surgery. Well, I have read this article every day, as it really picks me up and makes me want to go out there and do good.

Ben, do I detect a spell of nostalgia and love for “The Old Bastard”, as you refer to your dad?

What a wonderful human being your dad is and I can understand why you love him so. Anyone who can care for mongooses like that is number one in my book. I also hope he woke up.

Keep up with the happiness and smiles you bring to readers. Bea Pienaar

Hillcrest IT WOULD have been very useful and kind of Dstv if they had included a magnifying glass along with the latest (August) magazine.

It’s printed using a tiny point size, grey scale print – impossible to see. I already wear glasses and still I can’t make out the programmes.

With your cost cutting, what will we get next month, Dstv? ACQ Valentine

Hilton