#Feeshavefallen

Dear student, so you are concerned about a study loan you have to repay? Welcome to the real world. Most students in, for example, the US or UK start their professional careers with massive loans to repay – you are not underprivileged or disadvantaged just because you have such a debt. If you work hard, and graduate with a good qualification, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty repaying it.

I cannot understand that students are going blindly into studies without thinking where the money comes from. Why can’t they study at Unisa to make it possible for them to work at the same time? Sadly, since 1994 the technical colleges were closed, some changing names to “university” with higher fees. If these young people go into the world so blindly, how will they afford to pay a bond? We lived and studied within our means and struggled to pay back – but managed. Plan your future. – Clare Smith, Gardens

There is enough money for hiring planes, cars, making renovations to houses, increasing salaries for ministers and councillors but no money for education. Typical. – Frans, Belhar

Alan Martheze is spot on – no free lunches. Someone, somewhere has to pay. Best letter I have read on the subject. – Lindsay Rodgers, Bergvliet

Why would, or should, a cleaner working directly for UCT earn more than one working for a cleaning company? – Ken Ellis, Fish Hoek

Politics

No, Mr Mugabe, the UN is not a body of the equal. Neither is the AU, as you have not paid your dues for 2015. #Paybackthemoney.

The Rainbow Nation scam will never survive.The one-sided reconciliation is a joke. It’s time to engage on difficult and progressive discussion. #Springbokhasfallen. – Lungi Hlakudi

Capitalism is not the problem, it’s the greedy government.

Roads

Disabled parking discs should be for disabled people only. Every day I see able old people with discs who park and then walk a mile inside.

Will the government implement and enforce its lower speed limits in time to save hundreds of lives this festive season? Will our transport minister please reply? – Richard Benson, Road Safety Action Campaign, Cape Town

If a child is on his way to school and he realises he is running late, then being late will be what he is thinking of. It will be uppermost in his mind and a car approaching will be a secondary thought. That’s just one scenario. It could be a ball rolling into the road. They don’t think of two things at the same time. What happened to the law that said “any child 10 years old and under, being hit by a car” will be the cause of the drivers’ negligent driving, no matter what the circumstances may have been. The driver must be held fully responsible for the accident. When I drive and I see children on the pavement or crossing the road, I always “expect the unexpected” and I drive with the attitude of “what if”. As far as I am concerned the driver must be held fully responsible for negligent driving if he hits a child 10 years old and under, no matter what the circumstances may have been. I pray for the recovery of the two kids who was hit by a car on Thursday morning. – Langley Bennett

Services

Isn’t it amazing – for 300 years, through wars, the nasty settlers ran an efficient and reliable postal service. – Tom Hancock, Riebeek West

Now that the country is in “must fall” mode, we should start a #DStvmustfall and no more repeats protest. Surely, DStv has enough of our money to buy new episodes of popular programmes ? I am eagerly awaiting Netflix, no more repeats. What freedom. I can choose what I want to watch. DStv, be careful, you have been the arrogant server for long enough. Sorry board members your bonuses may be cut. Shame. About time you improve instead of ripping us all off. – Sally, Bellville

It would be interesting to see the contract documentation of the construction project between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. It appears that it is pay per day and not per job, judging from the speed of progress. Or maybe no time limitations. A free-for-all. – Etienne Schut, Bellville

Other

Maidens Cove: the city and Patricia de Lille have, in the face of public opposition, approved plans to develop or sell the site. I have supported the DA in the past, but they are out of touch with people and public sentiment. I will not vote for the DA next year. Maiden’s Cove is bigger than De Lille. DA, you ignore public sentiment at your peril; remember this when you lose the municipal elections next year. – Charles Brown, Sea Point

The SPCA says all life is precious. Are we allowed to kill the lice in our kids’ hair? – Val Malherbe, Pinelands

Get well soon, David Biggs, you are in my prayers. – Eve Roos, Kenwyn.

I wish David Biggs a speedy recovery and I am sure many readers concur. Get well soon, Dave. – John Strand