Christopher Merrett
Rico’s “Kiwi braai” cartoon (13 August) explodes the myth that sport brings people together. On the contrary, its most obvious outcome is the celebration of dominance. And what is the supposed nation-building value of such emotion? Sooner or later, the false sense of unity will be shattered by blaming and scapegoating.
Sport at the local recreation ground can have many positive spin-offs, including social cohesion. But take a look at the decrepit facilities managed by most municipalities.
The resources that should be at the disposal of communities are locked up in professional sport to the benefit of a privileged elite and big business that profits from blatant nationalism.
Response to CR & ANC, you have brought South Africa to the edge
I read your email newsletter and agree with you. If one listens to all the pre-1994 promises, the initial intention of the ANC was correct. But nothing came from that because it never stood as a people’s party but, just like the NP, it became a religious party controlled by extremists in the ANC.
Very few people knew the impact the NG Church had during the time of the NP. It controlled the NP and everybody who did not agree with it on church policies was kicked out of the church and NP.
My late dad never voted for the NP, but was an old SAP member. He always called the church “white plastered tombstones”: white outside but black inside. Because of his beliefs, he never got any help from the NP – or the church.
We were called “k **** r boeties” by many
Responses to A lesson we can all learn from chilled-out zebras
I absolutely love [Gordon Muller’s] metaphor of the zebra in South Africa. The zebra has always been my “clan animal” – and I am even more sure of that now after reading that wonderful quote!
I would hate to ever have to leave our beautiful country, so we stay alert, do what we can to improve the lives of others, and bask in the gorgeous sunshine that emanates from our people and the beauty all around us. white people. My brother and I resigned from the NG Church in 1977 because of its religious doctrine and joined another church.
The problem in our country is the many foundations created by people, based on the Constitution’s Chapter 2, Clause 15.1 [Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion]. Different political parties can operate on the same foundation, but operating on different foundations does not work.
The ANC punished all white people because it believed that we are all the same and from the same church or foundation, which is not the truth.
The current state of affairs in the US is a good example of the danger of the freedom of religion. Religion is just a book worshipped by those who believe the doctrines of their preachers, which differ totally from the Gospel of Christ. In most cases, their doctrine is the opposite.
There is no such thing as a white or black Christian. A Christian is a Christian; the problem is different doctrines.
My family was punished during apartheid and could never enjoy the benefits of the so-called privileged rich people in South Africa. The issue in SA is envy, greed and hatred – all the opposite of the Gospel of Christ. Nothing will change unless the people change.
Derek Botha
Sheena Carnie
I totally identify with the zebra analogy and I’m sure there are thousands of South Africans who feel the same.
I so enjoy Daily Maverick. Thanks to you all.
Rose
Response to DA soul-searching about exodus of black representatives
As someone who was not born and bred in Mzanzi, it is easier to see a quirk than those who become polarised almost at birth: nearly everything [in SA] comes down to racism!
One of the obvious reasons that resignation, as a personal choice, is unusual is because ANC members do not resign. Even when they stand down, they think they are acting for the ANC, like Ace [Magashule] and Uncle Carl [Niehaus].
But there is a deeper reason why the media doesn’t pick up when a “white” (sic) person resigns. The “scourge of being white” has proved effective, and has entered the subliminal mind of a large part of the population.
Apologies for mixing metaphors, but it looks like those who jumped ship did so to ride another horse. Being in on the ground floor is part of political ambition.