Gandhi struggled against racism in SA

IT MUST be remembered that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi arrived in Natal in 1893 as a lawyer. His concern was to engage in the legal task for which he was employed, but he found himself being caught in the prevailing social and political conditions of the time.

His very first experience was thrust upon him when he set off for Pretoria and found his moral conscience being subjected to a challenge he never expected.

The 24-year-old man, who did not come here as a saint or mahatma, but as a simple barrister, was destined to learn many lessons before his religious convictions began to flower.

He used the prevailing language of common parlance of the time not out of racial maliciousness but out of ignorance.

He had much to learn about the racial differences that were emphasised by those in authority. His growing religious convictions neutralised many of his faulty perceptions and he was soon to realise just how demanding were the sociopolitical challenges that made religious practice so very exacting.

His struggle against racialism here and colonialism in India formed two phases of his experiments with truth. His later life formed the basis of his experiments which enabled him to become the example that made him the Mahatma that is honoured worldwide.

It would be well for any young political upstarts who have nothing better to do than try to gain prominence with paint brushes to realise that he was a man who set the world afire with appeals for adherence to moral behaviour of very high standards. Such scatterbrained ones display ignorance about the challenges we face in our attempts to make South Africa a shining example of racial harmony.

Our greatest demand at present is that we use our resources with some intelligence to build a greater South Africa and not indulge in time-wasting exercises that only run contrary to our ideal. THILLAY NAIDOO

Durban North

Mahatma’s writings reflected racist view

ASHWIN Trikamjee has asked for the origin of comments, attributed to Gandhi, that include the quote: “They (Indians) must not be relegated to the position of ‘k*****s’” (Mercury, April 14.)

Let me enlighten Mr Trikamjee, for he should be familiar with the writings of Gandhi. The words are from Gandhi himself as recorded in the Collective Works of Mahatma Gandhi and in Indian Opinion.

These works show, beyond reasonable doubt, that the writings of Gandhi reflect racism. PETER QUANTRILL

Hillcrest

What Premier could have said

KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu’s comment piece, “Attacks contrary to Ubuntu principles” (The Mercury, April 10) refers.

While Mchunu said the right things, “I am sure that I am talking on behalf of the majority of people of KwaZulu Natal who are ashamed by these evil acts,” and “this hatred of our fellow human beings has no place in this democratic province”, he could have gone further.

He ought to have emphasised that we (King Goodwill Zwelithini included) need to be very circumspect about what we say and how we say things, bearing in mind that all that is needed is a simple spark, as has been evidenced in recent weeks, to ignite a community. BRIJLALL RAMGUTHEE

Newlands

Is the sinister use of words a warning?

THERE is an Orwellian and sinister bearing with the frequent media use of “foreign nationals” lately.

“African nationals” are at present the sad and unfortunate recipients of xenophobic hatred and attacks. It cannot be overlooked that South Africa plays host to a multitude of foreigners from all over the globe.

Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) – the pogroms – the riots and the purges of the ’20s and the ’30s should remain as constant reminders that these demons and banshees forever grin and lurk, and that the sad reminders of history are invariably never heeded.

Could the flippant use of “foreign nationals” be a harbinger of what is to arrive and be visited? Or is this a veiled and deliberate warning to all?

South Africa once again retains poll position as a land of world championship hatred, animus and aversion. The rotting, long-decaying afterbirth of a system, which every so often erupts to belch and vomit a deadly stench of indignant racial outrage, malevolence, raging sexism and religious intolerance. Is there any hope? GLENN BUBB

Greyville

Put Sharks debacle blame in right place

THEoutrage about the sorry state of the Sharks’ performance needs to be directed to the same place where shareholders direct their vitriol in corporate business – the leadership.

These are largely the same players that have consistently produced above-average results since the ’90s. They will be disillusioned, demotivated and derailed, but it’s not them to blame – it’s Chairman Saad and his sorry compatriots .

His brave/stupid appointment to CEO of someone with zero qualifications has backfired horribly. John Smit might have many qualities, but setting strategy, and selecting appropriate champions to execute, is clearly a bridge too far.

What possessed Saad to convince the board to agree to the appointment – and why has Saad said or done nothing – as the team’s legacy is destroyed week after week?

Professional sports teams around the world address their failed leadership quickly and decisively. Waiting another week to get rid of Gold and Smit will only further erode the confidence of players and key stakeholders.

K JOHNSON Mount Edgecombe

Make Gary Gold Zuma’s spin doctor

THE Sharks need to rethink Gary Gold’s contract and rather sell him off to Jacob Zuma, who is without a spin doctor, and, let’s be honest, he desperately needs one.

Week after week we have to read a bunch of claptrap from Gold about why his players are not performing. What he really needs to do is tell the truth and say “I have a bunch of spoiled, ill-disciplined, very unhappy players.”

If I have to read one more time about how the Sharks are being picked on, how unlucky they are etc, etc, I think I will start supporting soccer. Grow up, Gold, and get a grip on things or you will lose more than one supporter. JOHN WILLIS

Amanzimtoti

Discarding the good in name of change

WITH his remarks that the South African professors are too pale, stale and male, Blade Nzimande killed three anti-constitutional birds with one ill-advised transformation stone.

His racist, ageist and sexist remarks were an insult to a generation of academics of both genders who were largely responsible for the good standing of South Africa’s universities.

They condemned them to the academic scrap heap, all for the greater good of the dubious end that seems to befall all our public institutions: racial transformation.

When will it sink in with our government that maybe, just maybe, we should cherish any academic excellence we can get, irrespective of its colour, as it is in such short supply?

Wisdom comes with age, not with race or gender. ROBERT DE NEEF

Howick