There is a place near Hotazel for anti-vaxxers

Please get vaccinated.

It is frightening how some people get influenced by “news” circulated on media platforms — fake or not.

When we were born, our wise parents did not rush to consult Chinese or Russian or US newspapers to find out the possible adverse side effects of the polio or measles vaccines. They did not phone all their neighbours to find out if it was “safe” to vaccinate.

They trusted the science and proceeded to do the right thing and had us vaccinated as soon as possible. Otherwise, half of the population today might be moving around in wheelchairs, afflicted by polio.

If you choose not to be vaccinated against Covid-19, that is your right; but please lock yourself up in a very remote, faraway place in some desert somewhere, so as not to infect others. Beforehand, please ensure that your eligible young children get vaccinated. They have no say and no rights.

It is amazing how we blindly “trust” technical science and bring into our homes all sorts of newly developed gadgets, utensils, tools and toys that have not been tested for adverse effects over a set number of years.

We trust the makers of new cars that have only had a short period of testing. Not only do we trust them, but we boast and show off our new, highly developed acquisitions.

Technical science developments are not free — we have to pay dearly for them.

Covid-19 vaccination is free to those who request it. I’m not sure if everyone knows that one of the side effects of Covid is death. So, please stop being shortsighted and act responsibly.

Noël Chaperon, Sharonlea Israel has some solutions

As predictable as Pavlov’s dog is Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the South African department of international relations & co-operation, who wrote that his government was “appalled” that Israel had been granted observer status in the African Union. With his head buried in the sand, like his counterparts in the “security cluster” earlier this month, he’s lost touch with the modern world and the seismic changes that have taken place over the past few years.

While the ANC still clings to the likes of Cuba and Venezuela, the rest of Africa is getting on with the job of looking to eradicate water shortages and ensuring food security for future generations. More and more African countries and those even further afield are embracing the knowhow and technology that Israel has to offer.

In fact the whole ANC government chooses to bury its head in the sand rather than seize the moment and not only welcome Israel to the AU but open its eyes to see that strong relations with Israel will help to deliver the “better life for all” that the country so badly needs.

The events of early July, with the destruction of vital supply chains, water systems and other infrastructure, show that SA desperately needs friends and support from reliable partners. Many of the countries that had such faith and supported the country in the wake of democracy have become disillusioned and are looking elsewhere to invest and assist realistic and corruption-free emerging economies.

Time to wake up and smell the roses, SA, and put the interests of your people before a flawed ideology.

Allan Wolman, Tel Aviv, Israel

The seamy side of cricket

Cricket SA’s social justice and nationbuilding (SJN) project is a painful exercise, but sadly no more painful than Paul Adams being called a “brown s**t” by some of his teammates.

Thandi Tshabalala, who played one-day international cricket, also testified at the SJN hearings. The fact that he was never welcome in the Proteas dressing room shows that some of the senior players messed up the lives of upcoming black cricketers.

The players who testified stated that the “big five” players ran the team, which is an absolute shame and a disgrace. It seems that up to this day racism continues to rear its ugly head. Race is causing great divisions and disunity among cricketers.

It is time for a new attitude. We need to fight back against racism. Testifying is a waste of money and time. The question is, what will come of the hearings?

Absolutely nothing.

The Sunday Times, whose journalists have no fear, hopefully will name the senior “big five” players.

The starting point for transformation is strong commitment from players. If any one of these senior cricketers are still active with Cricket SA, I suggest they should play no part in developing [the sport] as their services are not needed. If they don’t resign, the present cricket team will be destroyed and will lack confidence. Dhayalan Moodley, Mobeni Heights

Just EFF off now

Why, oh why, do you insist on giving Julius Malema coverage? (“My politics the same as when I was young”, July 25.)

I cannot recall one article written on why Malema went to Nkandla for tea at the time. The press was mum on the subject. There was much speculation and pictures of them happily smiling together but no real facts.

Now when the proverbial paw-paw has hit the fan he suddenly comes forward with his explanations and, boy, is he pure as the driven snow — our saviour. If only Jacob Zuma had listened to him.

Is it because he has realised people really have no stomach for the anarchy he preaches? I am speechless. Lorinda Winter, Stillbay

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