@HelenZille

The Cape Argus report “Premier faces DA disciplinary for tweet on colonialism” shows how freedom of speech is being undermined, not only in South Africa as a whole, but sadly within the DA, where Helen Zille has been abused and intimidated into making a servile apology for her perfectly truthful tweet that colonialism brought good as well as bad. Countries which retained the good elements of a colonial past while rejecting the bad include the USA and India, to give only two examples. – Richard Benson

How ridiculous to continue taking remarks like this out of context to further one’s cause. This reveals more about those accusing than it does about Zille, whose firm stand on race equality should be known to all by now. – P Wilson

Zille was right. It was the greatest blessing globally. Billions benefited, till today. – Bernard Jacobs, Atlantis

Helen Zille’s tweet was racism? She pointed out a fact and is absolutely right. – Anne Sommers, Somerset West

Zille “a cold-hearted racist”, really? What about her history in the 1970s with the Black Sash? This story is now blown out of proportion to gain cheap political points. Her comment might have been insensitive, but to now call her a cold-hearted racist is just ridiculous. – Judy van der Westhuizen Knoetze

The ANC was very quiet when its premier in the Northern Cape, Sylvia Lucas was found guilty of hate speech by the High Court recently. – Clive Paterson In November they start by burning universities and demanding decolonised education but then in January they are first in the queue to register for colonised education – you must admit it is very confusing. – Paul Froon

There were Huguenots and then British colonists. The first negotiated land, the second forced their way into South Africa and caused the racism we live with today. And this affects everyone. – Hendrik Fouche

Perhaps people don’t know what colonialism actually is. But Helen Zille should, so what she said is from a heart that’s not exactly right yet. Many do amazing things for all the wrong reasons. – Sue Hefferman Laubscher

White people also suffered under British colonialism; how many were killed fighting against it? Zille tried to point out the positive but people heard what they wanted to hear. – Mary Lee-Ann Parker

It is funny how some white people scoff at colonialism and apartheid and still defend the woman. Apartheid not only benefited them handsomely,it also made them extremely insensitive to the pain and suffering of the indigenous people. – Darryll Sauer

Helen Zille should quit, period. She is coming out of her shell and showing her true colours. The DA might have sound economic policies but the bottom line is the majority of their white members are hardcore racists. – Wellah Mzayah

No, she is not a cold-hearted racist. She is an older woman who is tonedeaf and has made idiotic tweets – in a media milieu she does not understand.