Women also responsible
IWAS raised by a grandmother (a woman, imbokotho) from childhood until an adult. When old enough, I was attracted to a beautiful woman and decided to make her my wife, and the most precious thing that ever happened to my life is when she bore three astounding kids which we both adore. She too adds value and completes me. As much as I agree with the sentiments of our premier (Saturday Dispatch, August 26) that men should get tough in acting against any forms of violence and abuse towards our precious equals – women, I believe as well that women and children are the most vulnerable in relation to physical strength compared to most men, and I happen to work for an institution favourable to that ideal.
However, women can be frustrating at times. If I may be allowed to put myself in the shoes of the premier’s office official Sonwabo Mbanga. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but there’s an element of foul play in the saga.
The lady involved used Women’s Month as a weapon to destroy Mbanga’s future by inciting violence towards her. I do not prejudge the innocence of Mbanga, but assume the possibility of it, either way.
Be as it may, women must also act responsibly towards their counter equals. They must not provoke, incite and exploit the ultimate consequences of their own doing. — Xola Mkuyana, Bhisho list of 144 countries for our education department. We are also officially the country where the most hijackings take place and are on the top-10 list for the most murders.
The rand/dollar exchange rate has gone from R3.41 to R12.85; the petrol price has gone from R1.73 to R13.83 per litre and our defence force has gone from being the iron fist of Africa to the laughing stock.
From 1994 to now, we have 10 times more people in squatter camps and 1 000% more illegal immigrants.
Since 1994, our roads, railways, military, police, municipal services, old age homes, hospitals and orphanages have literally fallen apart. Debt-ridden gravy train state entities are run by “chommieyams” and no other country on the planet has more convicted criminals in their parliament than us. — MC Vorster, via e-mail those who valued our struggle.
He passed the baton to Thabo Mbeki. We watched, more houses were electrified and more taps were turned on. Our mothers, wives and little sisters were spared long walks to fetch water and gather wood to cook.
The latter was fired, he was not given time to pass the baton to Jacob Zuma.
He connected his family to everyone with access to state and SOE’s coffers. They are now billionaires while our children still beg.
All the better life promised under Madiba and Mbeki has turned to a bitter life for all.
Water is becoming scarce. Electricity is becoming expensive. Zuma’s cronies get huge salaries, bonuses and golden handshakes for being recycled from one department to the next or one SOE to the other.
As we remember our heroes – O R Thambo, Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu, Walter Sisulu, Steve Tshwete, N R Mandela and many more – let’s ask and answer these questions:
Is this what people died for? Is this the ideal democracy and freedom we envisaged?
Safa iSizwe esimnyama sibulawa ngoohlohlesakhe abany olukileyo! Worried. — Z Tikana, East Peelton