Politicians’ prayers surely the acme of nonproductive effort

THE item, “Pray tell, are we secular?” (Hogarth, February 22), highlights several problems with the attitude of the higher education committee’s chairwoman, Pinky Phosa, in persisting with an opening prayer:

As you have stated, South Africa’s parliament is secular. There are essential reasons for this having been written into the constitution. It helps to maintain a balanced democracy. Theocracies are generally dictatorial and undemocratic;

Checking that MP Yusuf Cassim was absent before attempting the prayer, then still going ahead with it despite the presence of at least two atheists, Belinda Bozzoli and Blade Nzimande, who seemed to be embarrassed by the ritual. The implication is that it is not permissible to offend a Muslim by praying (in his presence) to a different deity than the one he believes in, but is acceptable to impose your dogma on atheists; and

Considering the dire state of South African education, it seems a waste of time and effort to ask an omniscient deity who has already planned the future to alter his plans to suit this committee. Of course, secular people (we pay taxes and rates as well) would regard this as a nonproductive effort. Certainly my previous careers in industry and the law would have been rapidly curtailed if I had spent time praying in meetings or pretrial sessions instead of adding value.

A couple of years ago, when she was [Mpumalanga’s] finance MEC, Phosa asked a pastor to pray for guidance for her department “to inspire everyone with God’s spirit so that we can be able to differentiate between what is wrong and right”— but one of her officials still allegedly spent R1.6-million on office furniture without proper approval. I rest my case. — David Lawson, St Lucia

Poisoning: will charges follow?

THE disclosure of President Jacob Zuma’s alleged poisoning by one of his wives in “Zuma ‘poison plot’ ” (February 22) was alarming. What is also disconcerting is the cover-up, and the apparent absence of an official criminal probe against the alleged perpetrator(s) for a particularly serious crime.

One must surely conclude the “poison plot” would never have seen the light of day but for the Sunday Times report. It now remains to be seen if accountability and the rule of law continue to be elusive concepts within the context of the ruling party’s lexicon. Don’t hold your breath! — Errol Horwitz, Fresnaye

Why Washington or Moscow?

HOW very strange that Zuma does not “trust” the Americans or their diagnosis of his condition, and then goes to the Russians. On whose dollar does he do all this flying around? The Americans are good enough to take money from but not to be trusted? Africa, pack away your begging bowls and make it on your own! — Haditnana, by SMS

Citizens fund their own fitness

I READ “New gyms to get MPs fit for office” (February 22). So much money will be going towards the MPs’ gym. What about the thousands of communities that do not have proper recreational facilities? Better yet, why can’t every participant of the Comrades Marathon this year get a pair of running shoes?

I wonder if any of the MPs will make use of the gym. — Thobeka, KwaZulu-Natal

An insult to those with autism

A [REFERENCE to “political autism”] in Tony Leon’s opinion piece “Seeds of hope in parliament’s wreck” (February 22) was brought to my attention by the mother of an autistic child.

I do understand that the term “political autism” refers to an inability to see reason in [another’s] political viewpoint. However, I wish to inform you that this has really upset our community.

An individual with autism has no choice in being different. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability, not a matter of choice or opinion. Honourable President Jacob Zuma has a choice in the way he chooses to react and see the world.

Autism spectrum disorder affects the way an individual communicates, interacts socially and processes sensory information. A person with the disorder often has restricted and repetitive behaviours and thought processes.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has urged people “to take part in fostering progress by supporting education programmes, employment opportunities and other measures that help realise our shared vision of a more inclusive world” on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

I appeal to you to take up this call and act. Accept our community, and please do not refer to anyone as “politically autistic”. It is an insult to approximately 1.5 million South Africans. — Sandy Usswald, national director, Autism South Africa

Mission to appease Malema

YOUR article “Seeds of hope in parliament’s wreck” (February 22) is so biased against our charismatic president. Continue to break him and appease Malema, as that is your mission as the media. — AV, by SMS

Insight into the circus

BRILLIANT article by Tony Leon — a great summation of the circus that is South African politics and the despair we feel. Also a joy to read such expressive command of the English language. Succinct and insightful. — Trevor Q, by SMS

Quotas for teachers may help

BASED on your article “White teachers still in majority at top schools” (February 15), racial integration of teachers in top schools and other former Model C schools is something that needs to be looked at.

Truth be told, if many white teachers migrated to black schools, we would be of the perception that those particular black schools were excellent and that particular school produced geniuses. This is really something to ponder.

As a diverse nation, the government should look into this. The solution could be that the government could have laws or policies where a certain number of white teachers or people of colour should go into predominantly black schools. Only then will we say that we are a racially transformed society.

In addition, this problem is faced by all schools and not only former Model C schools.

While I was still a library assistant at a predominantly Indian school, there were only three black teachers, who all taught Zulu, and the rest of the teachers were Indian.

In conclusion, as a society we need to address this issue by developing policies that could benefit all schools. — Sinenhlanhla Wela, by SMS

Accept no substitute for biltong

SORRY, Waheed Mahomed (Readers’ Views, February 22): to liken beef jerky to biltong is like comparing offal to fillet steak. Have you ever eaten jerky? It’s absolutely revolting. Biltong has no competitor anywhere in the world and thoroughly deserves to be a unique product. And that’s coming from a rooinek, nogal, my broer. — Steve Davidson, Fish Hoek

Celebrities should not marry

“STUMPS for Smiths as Graeme drops divorce bombshell” (February 22) refers.

Celebrities are selfish. They should not get married. Graeme Smith had two kids in three years. What was he thinking? Now you just dump them. How do you explain your decision to them? They didn’t ask to be born. This poor woman left her career and now what? — Upset Gran, by SMS

Straight answer the solution

WITH reference to “We need a new Codesa to get us out of this toxic morass” (February 22) by Ben Turok, I would suggest that a straight answer from President Jacob Zuma, stating when he intends to pay back the money, would get us out of this toxic mess faster. — John McGinn, Menlo Park

Extra coaching for the coach

“NOBODY wants me, says ‘blocked’ former Bok coach De Villiers” (February 22) refers. Saying nobody wants him after his contract expires means Peter de Villiers’s methods of rugby coaching haven’t appealed to any top teams, or that tactics and gameplay have changed and his methods are not successful. Maybe he needs to go for extra coaching. — Baba Saloojee, Rustenburg

Don’t botch axe case too

IN all humility, I would suggest that the South African Police Service rather concentrate on its investigation of the horrific axe slaughter of the Van Bredas and leave its concern about Marli, as reported in “Brain injury fears for axe victim” (February 22), not making a full recovery to the medical profession.

Considering that five high-profile cases have been totally botched in recent times by the SAPS — which has made us the laughing stock of the world — it is mind-boggling that Andre Traut assures the public that (if and) when new developments occur “this office will make an official announcement”. One month after the murder! No wonder South Africa is a magnet for criminals. — D Beelders, Vasco

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