Quit moaning and begin to check on what precisely is delivered
IT IS my considered view that we as the nation, should stop shouting and writing about corruption. We should stop completely because the culprits are far from stopping. What will help rather, is for communities and leaders of integrity to check the prices of each project or the items delivered against the amount in rands awarded for a tender.
We should check the price we pay to a construction company, for example, for erecting every single sign post on a public road.
Invoices should be given to beneficiaries of the project or for the items delivered by the state or municipality – as well as to the supply chain of the respective institution..
We should not be excited about delivery but we should be more concerned about the price of that delivery.
This must happen nationwide and it would serve to help cure the cancer of corruption.
Such an endeavour will restore the business community to its former glory – to become philanthropists, financial supporters and/or sponsors of good causes and not masters of kickbacks.
As a result the rand will have more value. The taxes we pay to the state will yield more service for delivery.
For all those who do not see the dangers posed by corruption, my sincere advice is that they should open their eyes. Remember and meditate on the famous prophecy of Ntsikane about iqhosha elingenamthunja (money) and think about the generations to come. — Mbulelo Qotoyi, Ngcobo
Skills and discipline
CHANGES have to be made to get rid of some of South Africa’s leaders who lack the ability to run the country.
Electricity is scarce, there are water problems and our railways and airways are not working as they should. Parliament has also turned into a circus. To cap it all there is the commissioner of police, Riah Phiyega, employed with zero knowledge of policing.
Now a decision must be made, after all this time, of whether she is fit for the job. Well with the Marikana saga and the experience she has gained from this tragedy, she obviously has gained some experienced about riot control.
The current problems in the police force and general lawlessness in our society, certainly have their roots in apartheid.
The struggle for freedom brought about clashes between the people and those who had to keep law and order.
The police became the skunks of the country while those who contravened the law were the heroes. That view has to be changed. So too must the requirement of discipline be drummed into the minds of police officers when they are being selected and trained. — Donald Card, Gonubie
Muti has an impact
AS A diehard boxing fan who is not objective because of love for the sport, I must say well said, to Xola Moni (“Boxing fans must stop peddling trash and give credit where due,” DD, July 30). Indeed you are correct.
At the same time, my view is that we cannot run away from the reality of muti. It exists, as do evil spirits which are used by some people against others. The things we use in our daily lives, such as chickens, even our body parts, are used by some for evil purposes.
Because the two objects – a sjambok and a rams horn – carried by the two boxers – Ali Funeka and Tsiko Mulovhedzi – are also used to do the ordinary things that Xola mentions, it does not mean they cannot be used for evil deeds.
Natural herbs we harvest from the bush or forest are used for medicines to cure certain illnesses. We can buy such medications from the chemists. But the very same natural herbs can also be used wrongly for muti against people. That is a fact, regardless of your beliefs.
I am one of those who has said an evil spirit was used against Funeka, if you looked at him and how he was doing things. After the first and second round, his eyes looked dazed and while he was throwing his punches, it was as if he was anticipating the position of the opponent, rather than seeing the man.
Lastly the decision against Gideon Buthelezi was one of the many disastrous ones we see in this province. And I do not know exactly who calls the shots when it comes to international belts, but why was our Boxing SA provincial representative delaying the finalisation of the results with the IBO supervisor? Whenever that happens a wrong decision seems to result.
It happened with Lusanda Komanisi in 2014 and with the very same Lwandile Sityatha that year, just to name a few.
I have lost hope in this being addressed. — Ntsika Matana, via e-mail
Protect school route
THE report “No option but rape route” (SD, August 1), calls for immediate action. It is a shame that it is no longer safe for children to walk to school. I suggest that bulldozers be brought in and that the land be completely cleared for the building of RDP houses. Criminals can hide in the bushes and it seems as if providing transport for the school children would be costly. — Patricia, via e-mail
Children not sardines
THE article “62 pupils crammed into 33 seater bus” (DD, August 3) refers. Is it because the tenders for transport are allocated to friends and families that these problems are caused? The provincial education department needs to take full responsibility for children being crammed into buses and taken to and from school.
The traffic departments also have a vital role to play in stopping the buses and bakkies that are loading up children at schools.
I see it every day, even at former model C schools where taxis and bakkies load children in as if they are sardines. — Brian, via e-mail
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