Education begins in the home, and right from birth

Why, in all the angst over the poor standard of education in our country, has not one commentator mentioned the role of parents and caregivers?

In their first two years, children learn more than in the rest of their lives.

Learning begins at birth, with the voice of a mother or caregiver talking and singing to them, so they learn to use words. Sitting babies on your lap to page through a supermarket handout or a picture book and point things out helps them to understand and enjoy what words mean.

Reading to them every day, chatting and encouraging them to talk gives them fluent language … often more than one, if caregivers speak different mother-tongues.

Knowing a lot of words and being able to talk confidently is the most valuable ability for children, giving them a head start at early-learning centres and in grade R.

Parents cannot expect the government to do all the educating. The quality of your child’s education begins with you, even in the poorest homes with busy single mothers. Caring family members like gogos and aunties and oupas are wonderful tellers of stories. We need to make a habit of chatting with our kids from very young so they talk easily with others — and of course give them nutritious food to help their minds and bodies to grow strong.

In this way, South African education could improve out of sight, and quickly. Jenny Hobbs, Century City

Something off about this timing

There was a long queue of whistleblowers who were happy to spill the beans on Bosasa at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture.

A day before President Cyril

Ramaphosa could deliver his state of the nation speech, the Hawks arrested Angelo Agrizzi and other whistleblowers who had testified at the commission, much to the annoyance of deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo. The arrests didn’t make any logical sense. Other whistleblowers are now wary about giving evidence at the commission, fearing arrest.

Ramaphosa announced in his speech that the government is going to unbundle Eskom so that the entity will be fully selfsufficient and fulfil its developmental and economic roles.

A few days later, without any notice, Eskom suddenly switched off the lights.

Are there sinister forces who are out to sabotage the ANC’s election campaign? It certainly has all the hallmarks.

Ramesh Sukdeo, Sydenham

Elementary my dear: Watson

Peter Bruce disappointed me greatly in his article titled “Lady Justice unleashed, armed and dangerous” (February 10), when he wrote: “It is absurd to complain … that Gavin Watson wasn’t arrested … They were the result of an old investigation … by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).”

Surely Bruce could have connected the dots and asked himself the question like so many of us did: why did this investigation exclude Bosasa’s main decision-maker?

Was it because Watson was so well connected with Jacob Zuma that even the SIU saw him as being above the law?

Rob Blake, Melkbosstrand

An embarrassment of bandits

Peter Bruce must be very naïve to think all that corruption took place in Bosasa without Gavin Watson’s explicit authorisation. No CEO/director/owner of a business would allow so much cash to be given away in bribes without their knowledge.

Meanwhile, “Major One” is giving Watson and Iqbal Survé a run for their money. It appears Bushiri’s rent-a-crowd could witness their Profit (sic) donning orange overalls sooner rather than later.

Pastor Pillager may in future lead his paralysed paupers from Pretoria central prison. The shenanigan Shepherd will surely not be saved by “I put it to you” Barry Roux, who is also under his spell or getting one hell of a paycheque.

Sipho K Chipiwa, Randburg

Shed that load with more thought

Dear Eskom, we appreciate that you are suffering as a result of the theft and ineptitude that beleaguered your organisation over the past few years.

However, the manner in which you have handled the crisis reflects much the same level of ineptitude.

I am suggesting that you go about loadshedding considerably more efficiently than you are right now.

In particular, you should surely be aware that Johannesburg is the powerhouse of the South African economy. Accordingly, you should seek power savings elsewhere. Sandton, especially, needs an ongoing, uninterrupted power supply.

In short, it is high time that you demonstrated at least a modicum of wisdom.

John Spira, Johannesburg

Thanks are due to Nhlanhla Nene

It is sad that whenever the name of Nhlanhla Nene is brought up it is only to remind us that he was not forthright with the fact that he met the Guptas a few times — even though it is clear that he did not sell the country to the Guptas in those encounters.

His major strength in saving our country from total economic disaster is hardly ever mentioned. He showed that strength when he refused to sign the nuclear deal with Russia. He stood his ground in the face of excessive pressure.

Former minister, strength to you for having saved the country. I shudder to think where we would be had you signed that deal.

Maanoapelo B Mathopa, Ga-Rankuwa

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