Ashnie, you hit the nail on the head, finish and klaar

Politics

Ashnie Bisoonpersad, finish and klaar, could have been a master carpenter. Hammer, nail, right on the head. Aquarius. Ogle Newlands East

Ashnie Bisoonpersad, your letter to the editor was a gem. You were spot on. We need to get rid of these corrupt politicians.

People who really experienced apartheid will never abandon the ANC, even with all its mistakes. Any wrongs of the ANC are still better than apartheid.

White men did not start at the bottom of the ladder and work their way up. During the apartheid era they were given top posts because of their skin colour and the non-whites had to do the dirty work. The government must penalise companies that are not making an effort to promote non-white males and females to management positions. Also, white females were definitely not previously disadvantaged, so stop promoting them. Gregg.

Hi there: very easy solution to the jumbo sculpture. The ANC don’t like the jumbo because it’s an IFP symbol, so why not order a jackass in a wire basket? That will depict them perfectly and we will all be happy chappies. Derrick.

The DA never deliver a speech without mentioning the ANC. They are clueless. Their politics are centred on waiting for ANC moves and then criticising. They are yet to come with a proper plan.

About the only sectors that have not tried strike action – yet – for more money are members of Parliament and government ministers. I wonder why? e.s.e.

When Parliament goes into recess, the country, still, meanwhile continues along its normal, dismal path unattended. Does this not make Parliament a non-essential service? Ebrahimama.

The sad reality of South Africa is that whites will never be forgiven for apartheid, unemployment will never be reduced, there will always be inequality and crime will remain high. This is mainly because of an economy which is unable to sustain a large, unskilled population and not one political party can resolve these daunting issues.

Sam, we are so happy that you bought a house in Durban North and you have a great view of the sea, but tell: me do you have a boundary wall with electric fencing and CCTV? Does your vehicle have a tracking system? Do all the windows have burglar guards? Do you have two massive guard dogs, a security company, remote gates and panic buttons? In the days of apartheid all we needed was the SA Police and they did their job well. I write this SMS behind prison walls which happens to be my house. Wayne.

To Sam who lives in Durban North and is eternally grateful to the ANC for being able to see the ocean: it is for this reason that the ANC continue to rule with arrogance and impunity. Don’t you pity the millions that do not live like you and suffer under this government? The ANC rely on people like you who cannot see the bigger picture, but carry on regardless.

Booze ban

ED: it’s about the rugby and also about socialising afterwards. By the way, you don’t have to stay afterwards. It’s a choice we make. Glen.

I am also a rugby fan and after-party fan, but let’s not kid ourselves, the outer field braais with the consumption of alcohol was always illegal because it is drinking in public. But it is sad that a few muscle-bound numbskulls can force the law to be enforced. My question is: how does the Sharks selling the booze change the legality of it? MS.

I asked every so-called security guard at Saturday’s Sharks game, for proof of their status (identification cards). They all laughed at me: not one person could produce such. No wonder we have security problems. Someone is making big bucks, employing unprofessional people, and we, the loyal supporters are bled dry, including now we have to buy the Sharks’ dop. We’re being ripped off. Dc85.

Animal cruelty

Prabs, rather a silly argument and comparison you gave re: the circus animal debate. There is simply no comparison. Circus animals are kept under abnormal conditions, made to perform unnatural “tricks” for many years. Animals killed for the table, under controlled conditions, die a quick death. Pam.

Raising the “vegetarian argument” regarding circus animals is so counterproductive. Surely protest against animal abuse is a good thing regardless of who is protesting? From a vegetarian.

Oh, mercy me! Aren’t all of us guilty of cruelty to animals in the precincts of the circus we call home? We have birds in cages, dogs and cats confined to houses or yards and forced to eat food that is alien to their systems and a host of other evil deeds. Everyone who has a “pet” must now be forced to give them up and must be prosecuted as well. I object strongly to people having animals in their homes because human beings are the cruellest creatures on the planet and that includes you who protest so vigorously. MacDuff.

Sport

I’m far from a Man United supporter, but I want to congratulate them on their league title. They have been the most consistent side. I’m also really happy that’s all they won: I believe other teams should have a share of things up for grabs and not everything going to one club.

To all Manchester United fans: say thank you to Arsene Wenger for selling RVPersie to you. Without him, you wouldn’t have won the league. Arsenal fan.

Please leave Hashim Amla alone; he’s a professional, and we all know that money talks. Chris.

Sharks season over? Think so. Edmac.

Stormers take on Lions players and can’t win. Now Sharks are doing the same. Have their coaches forgotten that the Lions came last and were kicked out of Super 15? Just asking.

Plumtree blames lack of experience as one of the contributing factors to the team’s woes, but he is the one dropping and benching the Bok players. Bruno from the Bluff.

City

Well done to the electricity department for figuring out how to switch the Pitlochry streetlights on; now can you continue with your good work and figure out how to switch the M4 North streetlights off during the day?

What is the correct depth for digging trenches for the electricity cables for the roads? I am a nobody with an average education, but can’t believe a trench should be 30cm in depth. No wonder the cable thieves are having such a good time. AN.

As a ratepayer in Durban, I am sick and tired of all the digging going on everywhere. Municipality: why not complete one small area at a time and still keep Durban beautiful? Ninks East.

Toll roads

E-tolling = Extra Time Of Luxurious Living In National Government.

We shouldn’t waste our time or breath protesting about e-tolling in KZN. When the powers that be want something, they just bulldoze it through the processes, and to hell with the electorate. In this country it is called democracy.

It costs about R20 000 a year in licence fees for a truck and trailer, and R450 to licence a Fiat Uno. Where are these funds utilised? This should be used to maintain and upgrade our national roads. Should more toll roads be constructed, it would only be fair on the motorists and transporters to have vehicle licence fees eliminated, as the fees are calculated by class and distance of the toll road and amount of wear and tear of road surface. Also included is profit and a percentage for government, not forgetting the kickback.

I fully agree that a good road network is required and road users have to pay their bit. But when we see regular abuse of roads with the anything-and-anywhere goes attitude of numerous truckers, can we again assume that policing, as with our crime rate, has let us down? I believe so. BB.

Odds and ends

Metro police up to their usual tricks. Are pensioners easy targets? Well done, Annabelle Margadant, for reporting the accident. Let’s see what action will be taken. JudyH.

Let BackChat be about factual information and not assumptions. Issues of “I think” have no place in the media. Brian Jayanathan, Tongaat.

Am I right in understanding that any one of us (no colour consideration) can only get into the US or Canada with very strict provisions in our application for a green card? Then how come Al-Qaeda operatives can live there? John.

And, finally…

How to avoid rolling blackouts this winter: move to Nkandla.

In Suarez’s defence, he bit what he thought was a Chelsea Bun, but got a Russian instead. Ynwa.