Land seizure advocate ignores payouts
THE article by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, “Why a radical land solution is whites’ surest guarantee” (November 20), refers. Ndlozi calls for the expropriation of immovable property of all white South Africans without compensation and bases his arguments, inter alia, on the “brutal slaughter of an entire black race”. He should provide details of such a genocide since, looking at the numbers of black people in South Africa, I doubt his claims.
He is, however, correct in saying that apartheid policies were unfair and discriminatory against black people. There are various processes in place to correct the wrongs. One is the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.
According to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s annual report of 2013, more than 90% of land claims settled since 1995 were through financial compensation (71 000 of 77 000 claims received). The compensation amounted to R6.5-billion.
Ndlozi’s claim that there is a massive desire for land among black people through which they will “make their identity possible” is simply misguided. People do not want to be farmers since farming is a difficult, challenging profession.
Also, 1.5 million hectares of land have already been transferred to claimants, so justice is being done to black South Africans.
Additionally, since 1994 there have been massive programmes benefiting black people, including BEE, affirmative action and even sports quotas. No sunset clauses have been announced for these programmes, so black people will continue to benefit.
Finally, Ndlozi’s party, the EFF, could garner only 8% of the votes in the last election. It is not growing much. Right-thinking people of all race groups can see through it.
Besides, what is the alternative? A civil war where black and white fight it out until the bitter end and the winner gets to rule over the ruins of this once-beautiful country? — Jan Rabie, Melkbosstrand
No 1 soft on looting
A FEW weeks ago, reports suggested that ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and ANC treasurergeneral Zweli Mkhize were being investigated by the Hawks for having been aware of a bribe offer but keeping quiet and never reporting the matter to the relevant authorities.
Now the ANC president, who also happens to be the head of state, publicly boasts of knowing people who are looting the state.
He says he will tell all in the future. So the No 1 citizen sits by and watches people loot state coffers.
The ANC has lost the plot here and its president is even worse. — Kiekie Mboweni, Nkowankowa
ANC in Zuma’s thrall
ARE the branches of the ANC going to allow President Jacob Zuma to dictate to them that his ex-wife be the next president of the ANC and the country? Why are we so afraid of the Zuma tsunami?
In 72 hours our economy lost R50billion due to his actions. He said the country and international community overreacted to his appointment of Des van Rooyen as finance minister.
How much more of this beautiful country does he still want to plunder and destroy? Internal processes of the ANC cannot bring about a solution that is good for the country because, as Zuma himself put it: the ANC comes first, then the country. — Mthokozisi Mtywaku, King William’s Town
Coffin culprits not typical
REGARDING the Middelburg coffin attack: I am appalled as a white South African. They should get life as they don’t look a bit ashamed and will not change. We do not need people like that on the streets. Please do not let the EFF contaminate people’s minds by labelling all white people with the same racist mindset. — Leslie Drake, Bothasig, Cape Town
Shakes is only human
SHAKES Mashaba’s future hangs by a thread. We await the outcome of the Safa disciplinary process as if he had transgressed against some god.
It was his emotions, reactions and tactlessness against his employers that got him into trouble.
As for some sports journalists whose job is to influence which coach must be fired, they are having a field day. — Tholithemba Mzobe, Roodepoort
Boks need to run more
I AM a 93-year-old great-granny and enjoy watching rugby. Before it was on TV I used to listen to the radio commentary. However, I am frustrated watching the Springboks (and other teams) play.
The players do not play a running game, with quick passes. The wings do not get the ball often enough. It has become a game of barging, kicking the ball away and thus losing possession.
It worked in the past, so why not for the present? Good luck to the Boks! — Granny Dot, Bushmans River Mouth
Making free with the facts
HOGARTH (November 13) welcomed the fact that I had retired as leader of the Freedom Front Plus. Then Hogarth decided on my behalf that I will now go and farm. Where does he/she get this? I was a professor of journalism and communications for 15 years before I entered politics. I never farmed full time and am not intending to now.
Many people believe the lie that most Afrikaners and FF+ supporters are farmers. Most FF+ votes come from urban areas.
Media freedom permits Hogarth to wish me out of politics. Sadly for Hogarth, I will remain an MP for some time. It is, however, not Hogarth’s right to send untruths into the world. — Pieter Mulder, Potchefstroom