Zuma’s rants ignore great achievements
WHILE President Zuma rants over wealth and income inequalities one tends to forget the number of millionaires created post-94 and people taken out of poverty and hardship.
Only a visually challenged person would ignore this.
This could only occur via a successfully managed economic and political transition.
Madiba’s tenure was probably the harshest with high expectations by the masses and great trepidation from the economically advantaged. Ably assisted by his first deputy, Thabo Mbeki, progress was made.
The ultimate message of Madiba was at the height of his political power: after being harassed and detained, he did not seek revenge or retribution, but rather unity and hope for all South Africans.
Surprisingly he served one term only; true to his word, and this is why in his retirement he is revered internationally as a renowned statesman comparable to the likes of Martin Luther King jr, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Let’s hope our leaders of today do not forget these valuable contributions in a quest for a better life for all. MUHAMMAD ISMAIL OMAR Durban North SOUTH Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) is very pleased that the transport department has listened to the repeated calls from road safety proponents such as SADD, Gary Ronald of the AA, Wendy Watson Consulting (former head of Arrive Alive) and the Medical Research Council’s Professor Charles Parry to change driving laws for new drivers, and to put them on probation.
We are especially thrilled with the zero alcohol level for new drivers.
Research done a few years ago at the University of Natal’s Interdisciplinary Accident Research Centre indicated that the worst drink driving offenders were between 18 and twenty-something, with up to 12 or 14 units of alcohol commonly drunk in an evening.
In the Western Cape, the Shadow project – which has followed SADD’s “name and shame” lead – shows that new drivers are driving drunk.
Death rates from crashes in the first year after getting a licence are unacceptably high and preventable.
We call on all parents to become involved and to take road safety seriously.
CARO SMIT PIETERMARITZBURG