Thanks for keeping readers informed

ON Wednesday November 30 I bought The Herald for the first time in about a month and I am really glad I did.

Kudos must go Gordon Upton for his powerful, thoughtful letter about how the ANC government’s obsession with racial quotas for the Springbok players and coaching staff has brought the game down to its lowest ebb in years (“Racism behind uncertainty”). Congratulations to The Herald for casting aside political correctness, printing Upton’s letter in full and placing it prominently.

After watching in horror as the #FeesMustFall protests led to rampant anarchy and the destruction of infrastructure, I was touched by Debby Derry’s hopeful and optimistic opinion piece, which strove to find a silver lining to the suffering, destruction and anxiety protesters with a dangerous agenda brought to our universities (“NMMU student protests yield unexpected positive results”).

I was shocked to discover that our horribly compromised president, Jacob Zuma, had again used a flimsy, unconvincing excuse to refer the Financial Intelligent Centre Amendment Bill back to the National Assembly (“Zuma sends back controversial bill”). It is critically important to the financial future of South Africa that this bill be passed into law as soon as possible, and if Zuma’s delaying tactics are not proof that he is trying to protect the Gupta family nothing is.

The story about the Christopher Panayiotou trial made for fascinating reading (“Cop accused of lying after tape played”). The story about young David Leslie and the Wings and Wishes project (“Special trip for extra-special boy”) touched my heart.

The photographs accompanying Estelle Ellis’s article were special too.

I was thrilled to find soul singer Lira would be singing the song, How Far I’ll Go, on the soundtrack of the South African version of the Disney animated film, Moana (“Lira caps busy year with song for ‘Moana’ ”).

Reading the story about new public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane (“New public protector provokes wrath of MPs”) confirmed my fears that she is yet another Zuma stooge who has been cunningly chosen to replace the fearless Thuli Madonsela.

I don’t waste much water these days, but your excellent and alarming lead story covering the current water crisis (“Metro to hike water tariffs”) made me determined to try even harder not waste a drop of water.

I have been following the CSA T20 challenge results on the internet, but after reading Alvin Reeves’s enthusiastic and informative article, “Warriors in hunt for glory”, I was inspired to get myself to St George’s Park and watch the Warriors crush the Knights. The colourful, happy atmosphere at the ground was fabulous.

With Zuma at the helm, corruption out of control, inflation soaring, unemployment at record levels, rampant crime and the Guptas running riot, South Africa’s future looks bleak, but at least we still have freedom of the press. Thanks for keeping us informed.