Must I choose between SA and Israel?

IAM a third-generation South African, tracing my roots back some 125 years. My parents instilled in me a love for South Africa and for all of her people.

In the early ’90s, when, fearing the new dispensation, hordes of white South Africans left, my family decided to remain. After all, this is what we had prayed and hoped for during the dark apartheid years.

As a Jew I have, until recently, felt very secure in our decision to remain in South Africa. But now this sense of security is waning, for in addition to being a loyal South African I am a proud Jew, unashamedly in love with and proud of the one and only Jewish state in the world — Israel. And creeping insidiously into the discourse of the ANC is an anti-Israel sentiment that is nothing short of anti-Semitism.

The Middle East is imploding. Millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their country of birth. More than 250 000 have been killed. Women and children are being beheaded by Islamic State, their heads displayed on spikes.

But Obed Bapela and his ANC comrades remain undeterred. Mr Bapela, your call to ban dual citizenship because of Israel and Israel alone is not only steeped in anti-Semitism — it displays ignorance of the highest order. — Monessa Shapiro, Glenhazel

ANC sticks to principles

ON reading the news of the leading party’s approach to dual citizenship, I was most pleasantly filled with pride. Obed Bapela and the ANC have my full support.

At the same time, the typical kneejerk reaction that it would invoke from the South African Zionist community immediately struck me.

If we look at the democracy and human rights record of Israel today, in 2015, it very quickly becomes apparent why the ANC has taken this momentous stand. Zionism (which is based on racism), and not Judaism, is the core principle upon which Israel has been established.

It is often said by those who support the state of Israel that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. There are four levels of citizenship in Israel, all treated with varied levels of esteem — starting at the top: Ashkenazi (white European) Jews; Mizrahi/ Sephardic Jews from Arab countries; Ethiopian Jews (black); and Palestinian (Arab).

It should be obvious that an organisation such as the ANC, which had its origins in the opposition of racism, would be extremely vocal against a country that displays such racist policies. — Dr Aayesha J Soni, vice-chairperson of the Media Review Network, by e-mail

Reed dance no protection

“VIRGINITY testing helps to develop future SA leaders” (September 6) refers. I would like to differ with those who say the reed dance and virginity testing helps to curb HIV/Aids. Statistics show that KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland are among the areas most affected by HIV/Aids.

If the reed dance and virginity testing curbed HIV/Aids, surely they would have lower rates of infection.

The reed dance was implemented for the kings to choose their brides, not to curb the disease. — Mboneni Rams, Johannesburg

We can’t all be winners

THE logic of Tshidiso Mokhoanatse, leader of the Agency for New Agenda party (So Many Questions, September 6) leads to, if pursued to its extreme, fascinating and absurd outcomes.

He says he is looking for demographic representativeness across all sectors, which means, for example, 80% black representation in all teams, in particular the Springboks.

Following his logic would lead to such outcomes as insisting that every 10 finishers in the Comrades Marathon should include one coloured and one white runner.

Regrettably, this nonsense was given impetus some years ago when ANC spokesman Jimmy Manyi made his outrageous claims that coloured citizens are overconcentrated in the Western Cape and there are too many Indians in senior management positions in KwaZulu-Natal.

A proper approach would recognise individual differences and ensure that all citizens have equal opportunity to achieve their potential.

Where this has not yet been achieved, because of past and present wrong policies, suitable redress is called for, realising that this will never result in equal outcomes for everyone. — Thembelihle Williams, East London

Why hide the stars?

“OBLIGATIONS to children with disabilities must be honoured” (September 6) refers.

Ten percent of the global population has a disability. I cannot understand why persons with disabilities are “hidden” from society. They show people’s ability to cope with any situation.

Nobody knows if or when they’re going to acquire a disability. If you do and never had an opportunity to mix with persons with disabilities, it would seem to you that you were the first to have such problems. — Kelli Williams Gary, Virginia, US

You’re jumping the gun

THE headline “Yes, I’m willing to lead” (September 6) is misleading.

Nowhere in the article is Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma quoted as saying these words.

This is disturbing since it gives the wrong impression about the structures and processes leading to the election of top leaders. Should one derive such conclusions from a straightforward statement such as “In the ruling party you never refuse a responsibility”? I think not. — Nkosi, Spruitview

The best was left unsaid

A GLORIOUS opportunity to inform your readers about the life and times of a great man was missed in your obituary of Justice Skweyiya (“Thembile Skweyiya: Constitutional Court judge and human rights lawyer”, September 6). A lot of valuable editorial space was wasted on a hatchet job about ANC abuses in the ’80s. Those who cannot defend themselves (Chris Hani) came in for a thrashing.

Justice Skweyiya’s crusade for justice is well documented. The very same Skweyiya commission that seems to agitate your columnist attests to the man’s greatness and deep sense of justice.

My favourite Skweyiya moment is when he convinced the court to intervene and save the then detained Griffiths Mxenge from the torture inflicted on political detainees. The judge in that matter was the redoubtable Justice Didcott. Yes, he who never passed a death sentence and vowed never to do so.

These are the issues that should have found prominent space in the obituary instead of petty gossip. — Zolani Mtshotshisa, by e-mail