Politics
Gloves are on for presidency fight
I find the term “the gloves come off” a contradiction in terms. Why? Because in boxing terms, when the fight starts, the gloves are put on. The battle for the presidency is hotting up for sure. Once again, a contradiction by Jacob Zuma, as he, when it suits him, repeatedly says that no one person is bigger than the ANC. By aggressively campaigning for a second term, he surely is letting it be known that the ANC will not manage without him. Such utter conceit on show.
“Poverty keeps me awake,” says Zuma. If he hasn’t slept in four years, what has he been doing?
Please, SABC and e.tv news, for how much longer am I going to be bombarded with this ANC policy document jamboree? This is the second day that, when I switch on the e.tv news at 1, I’ve had to endure Jacob Zuma blowing his own trumpet. How much longer is this ANC show going to last? Please spare my sanity or else I’ll throw a wobbly. Dave Overall, Montclair.
To the brainwashed delegates, enjoy the pleasure while you are able. Maybe, just maybe, you will spare a thought for the homeless and the hungry. Deprived.
While a few happy-clappy ANC members get all excited about perusing policy documents (again) at Midrand, life goes on with much hardship for the havenots.
National policy: it would be wise to bring tribal land into the formal economy so that it could finally become productive. It is unfair to expect others to pay rates and taxes, but owners of tribal land stay exempt in the long term. This land would then have tangible value, and become a tradeable entity.
The BackChatter who suggests that we should stop complaining about Jacob Zuma does not list a single positive trait of the president’s.
Don’t tell us to stop complaining about Zuma because it’s difficult to run a country with millions of citizens. If he can’t cope, it’s time to get out. Simple: if you can’t soar with the eagles, get out of the sky.
Boerseun, glad to see that you will use your vote to effect “positive change”. For the rest of us, we will be voting for a better future. Gerhard Pretorius.
I agree 100 percent. Ours must be the only country which shows so much disrespect to a president. Please stop now.
Police
The new civilian police chief should revert from military ranks to civilian police ranks and training. Military training is to kill the enemy. The community is not the enemy, and the police will have to work hard to regain their respect and confidence to fight crime.
Re Kevin Govender’s letter on the appointment of women in government positions: the pattern is blatantly clear. Pure political expediency, a garnering of the female vote in the next election. Riah Phiyega’s appointment is conning the female electorate. The future success, or not, of Phiyega will depend to a very large degree on the members of SAPS, for it is they who ultimately need fully to accept her as their new leader. The jury is still out on this degree of acceptance and commitment to her leadership. Blue.
Roads
This messages goes out to a fellow biker with whom I almost had an accident while travelling along the N2 near the old airport turn-off. My most humble and sincere apologies, I honestly did not see you. Remember, “think bike”, fellow motorists: not all bikers are maniacs. Kurt.
I agree that those new bright headlights are awful. I have been blinded by them many times and nearly had an accident. LW.
McQuire: spot on, buddy, dump the K53. It puts too much emphasis on the motorist behind a driver and studying it would never qualify you on a European test.
To all motorists, stay at least one car’s space from the car in front of your car. This will avoid many accidents. Drive wisely. Always be alert and leave your cellphones on voicemail when driving. Thank you. Shabier G.
No, it is not just you. The aftermarket, LED-type lights are never correctly levelled. Add to that the huge number of people who drive with their fog lights on and the worst of them who have their rear fog lamps on and don’t even know it. Then there are the other lot who have incorrectly levelled normal or high beams and people who insist on driving with a single high beam working. Then there those who don’t care zip and drive with their brights on at all times on the freeway. Don’t get me started on the other lot who stick in the fast lane, no matter what. Come on, Durban and KZN drivers, think. Keith of Clansthal.
I, too, have found it extremely difficult to focus when faced with those blinding headlights. They should be banned.
Bafana coach
Jomo Sono, Clive Barker, Neil Tovey and the whole of Safa: if you guys cannot see that Gordon Igesund is the best man for the job, you should be fired. Sorry, you that the Taste Festival, an international event, is being held in the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan. I’m sure I speak for many Muslims when I say this festival would have been a lovely outing. We do constitute a fair number in this beautiful city called Durban. Fathima, Musgrave.
Msomi: Cape Town municipality collecting about 45 percent of traffic fines to your woeful 13 percent has nothing to do with Durban having more taxis, but more to do with a useless, dysfunctional department. Work the maths out.
The death of two Ezemvelo rangers is sad indeed and cause for concern, as the reason given is that they drowned. Surely rangers working in the St Lucia Estuary and surrounds ought to be able to swim as a requirement? Nad G.
Thank you, Telkom Malvern. I reported a faulty landline on Tuesday morning and it was fixed on the same day. Kudos to you.
No one is born hating another person because of his skin colour, his background or his religion. People must learn how to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught how to love: Nelson Mandela (words of wisdom). Kurt.
DStv, Digital Repeat TV. What a waste of money.
Very entertaining show at Botanic Garden for kids. Do support these talented actors.
Farmers who treat workers badly should be prosecuted, but what is being done about farm murders and redistribution of land? Boerseun.
Hi, Daily News, please note I am a female and not a male as quoted in the BackChat caption yesterday. Mano.
Why don’t the police crack down on the scrap metal dealers? Perhaps then our city wouldn’t be ransacked by thieves. Laura.
The story about the 1987 floods brought back sad memories for many as well. Sandra.
Lotto stops its funding of Hospice, but can fund a party for the youth to the tune of millions.
Please would someone acknowledge Steve the lifesaver at Ansteys Beach, Bluff. I’ve been watching how he goes about his job professionally every single day. So kudos to a professional lifesaver. Deez.