Continue the good fight

CONGRATULATIONS to the ANC on reaching the historic milestone of 100 years. This is a most noteworthy high point.

The ANC has come a long way from its modest beginnings in Bloemfontein, mainly as a liberation organisation fighting against the repressive rule of the National Party to being the elected government of the day.

In this regard the former leaders and members of the ANC need to be commended and admired for securing the freedoms that we enjoy today in our beautiful country.

Every conscience-driven South African and especially the ANC needs to pay tribute to those South Africans who died because of their resistance to apartheid.

Individuals such as Steve Biko, Dr Hoosen Haffejee, Imam Haron and Ruth First, just to name a few, should also be acknowledged.

The stories and memories of our struggle for equality, justice and to live a life of dignity must be correctly documented for future generations to read and take lessons from.

I hope and pray that the current ANC leadership will continue the good fight and complete the struggle of improving the quality of people’s lives. For this to materialise, our leaders and individuals need to put aside petty differences and self-enrichment and self-seeking desires and work towards the common and greater good. ABDULLAH SAEED

Pietermaritzburg I SPENT New Year’s Eve with friends who live in Durban North. I can safely say that Christine Nelson presents an inaccurate picture in her letter to the Daily News dated January 4 in which she says that Durban sounded like a war zone.

In fact the citizens of Durban must be commended for their responsible use of fireworks as this was one of the quietest New Year celebrations I can remember. People only started lighting fireworks just before midnight and by 12.30am it was over.

I see at least two animals a week dead on the N2 and N3 freeways and the residential roads. Clearly vehicles are a threat to our animals. Would you suggest cars be banned in order to save our animals? ASHLEY GOVENDER

Merebank THE letters from M Mitchell and Christine Nelson regarding the use of fireworks (Daily News January 4) refer.

Since they have a love for animals and considering the many animals that are abandoned when people go on holidays over Christmas, they should rather use their time and energy to educate irresponsible pet owners on how to care for their pets. RAKSHA PRITHIPAUL

Avoca