Merit, ability negate ‘Indian question’

IT SEEMS both Julius Malema and Judge Shyam Gyanda have wrong ideas regarding Indians in KwaZulu-Natal.

For starters, in terms of economics, Indians are nowhere near dominant in whichever industry or service sector one chooses. Name the top three of any business in the province and you can rest assured they are not Indian. As an advocate, Judge Gyanda can attest to the fact that his briefs were predominantly from Indian attorneys – and very few, if any, from the major attorneys.

Today, what is strange is that briefing of advocates is still largely along racial lines – but what is strange is when judges who never would have been briefed by firms XYZ have suddenly got to pass judgment on these matters, with the most senior of silks arguing.

In fact, one simply has to see who the bigwigs of the ANC brief in their personal legal issues are to understand how “passionate” such leaders are towards their black colleagues and transformation. Any differing opinions, President Jacob Zuma? If I were Judge Gyanda, I would have pointed out: “Mr Malema, you were ready to ‘kill’ for Zuma and now you oppose him. How fit are you to ask or even judge the merits of my application?”

As for economics and dominance of Indians, look at the top three (volume and value) in any industry or service sector in KwaZulu-Natal.

Be it farmers, shopping centres, supermarket groups (not stores), auto dealerships, legal, auditing, private hospitals, transport, construction or landowners and here is your answer: Indians have progressed on a personal level despite the hurdles placed both pre- and post-1994, minus a few chequebook comrades. As for industry, I doubt any Indian features anywhere in this list, except maybe in edible oils.

As for promotion, the main issue is merit and capability in a corruption-free environment. In this regard, most South Africans have been given ample opportunities post-1994 and this should be the criteria.

MUHAMMAD OMAR

Durban North

Pompous principal victimises schoolboy

READING between the lines of the headmaster’s affidavit paper (The Mercury, October 7) left me with such a bad taste in my mouth.

How pompous and downright mean this man seems to be.

Being a head at a college in “the upmarket suburb” has gone to his head. And why did he need to make the unnecessary jibe about the boy in question being “the only pupil in his grade to fail the third term”?

He says in his affidavit: “We are not victimising the pupil.” Ha! NAN LEE

Durban

Pensioner floored by Petrocard charges

AS A pensioner, I use my car economically and only fill the tank every second month or so, using my FNB Petrocard.

The last such transaction was on September 23, at a cost of R364.35.

The bank’s charges arising from this transaction, however, amount to an additional R62.34. The plunder continues. JOHN GARDENER

Howick

Rights groups need speak out on crime

THE silence of human rights institutions, academics, the ruling elite and others, considering the violence perpetuated by ruthless criminals towards police and innocent citizens, is puzzling.

When the police and law-abiding citizens defend themselves against these heartless thugs, the abovementioned are quick to make statements that seem to show leniency towards criminals.

They provide effective solutions, but merely lecture us on academic and human rights concepts while innocent people get maimed and killed every day.

When politicians, celebrities and the who’s who of society start getting seriously affected by crime, then stern action is taken.

The fact of the matter is that violent crime has reached uncontrollable levels in South Africa.

These merciless criminals are armed to the teeth.

A primary school, near where I live, has had its tuck-shop robbed by gunmen three times, leaving both the teachers and pupils terrified and traumatised.

If this community defend themselves and their school against these criminals, they would be called vigilantes.

The soft stance taken on criminality in South Africa is highly regrettable.

I am afraid, by the time eyes are opened, it will be too late. LANGALIBALELE NGCOBO

KwaMashu

Nxumalo, Gumede must stand down

FOR the sake of unity and stability of the ANC in the eThekwini region, James Nxumalo and Zandile Gumede need to excuse themselves from the chairmanship race.

Their squabbles in pursuance of narrow self-interests and interests of their faceless cronies is not only destroying this glorious movement, but is also impacting negatively on service provision.

They must take a lesson from the 1992 ANC conference where both Thabo Mbeki and Chris Hani were asked to excuse themselves from the deputy president’s race because it was felt that their inflated egos were a threat to the stability and unity of the party.

James and Zandile must show decisive leadership qualities by putting organisational interests above narrow personal agendas. BONGINKOSI NDLELA

Ntuzuma

Gospel singer is abiding by his faith

WITH reference to the The Mercury, September 30. The price gospel singer Sfiso Ncwane paid for his pastor’s car may have been over-the-top in view of many other things he could have done to show his gratitude (like setting up something to motivate people to develop their own talent).

With regard to his “mother” and occult practices and Ncwane’s decision to remove his family from that situation, the Bible tells the full story about what is detestable: witchcraft, divination, ancestral worship, what is acceptable and the consequence of disobedience.

I have heard the testimonies of witchdoctors and spiritists who have come to Jesus.

We have become so materialistic that we have lost sight of the power in the spiritual realm. The Bible also teaches that we only have right/earned benefits if we have assumed/carried our responsibilities to communities and neighbours. JEN SCOTT

Creighton

How did uShaka get blue flag status?

PLEASE! Whoever gives uShaka beach blue flag status must have their eyes in their back of their head.

No toilets, no changerooms, one shower, if it works, for thousands of people who flock to uShaka beach during holidays and on weekends.

The closest shower is in front of Marine Surf Lifesaving Club. I thought a high standard had to be reached to get blue flag status, but it looks like it’s just given out. Not on! K STEFFEN

Durban