Enough is enough – no more racism in our schools! What are we teaching them?
This week's visit by key political figures and stakeholders from the National Council of Namibia, along with the Regional Representative of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Southern Africa Sub-Region Executive Committee to KwaZulu-Natal, is warmly welcomed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), a solid partner of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).The visit underscores the importance of our constitutional democracy in shaping a more accountable and inclusive region. Furthermore, constitutional democracy, as is particularly practiced in South Africa, remains a bedrock of our governance structure, ensuring that elected leaders, at all levels, are held accountable to the people they serve.
Within the South African system, the government is also directly answerable to the people through parliamentary structures. This represents the will of the electorate and aims to ensure a transparent, responsive system where leaders are consistently required to justify policies and actions.
The DA is acutely aware that KZN's official opposition party – the MKP – has rejected such a democratic system. Instead, the MKP seeks to create a system where parliamentarians are not accountable to the electorate and only to the institution, which they believe should reign supreme.
This is a system that South Africa was freed of in 1994 through the ballot box. It is for this very reason that, in the South African context and particularly in KZN, this framework is essential for promoting inclusive governance.
The DA believes that a functioning system within parliaments and legislatures not only strengthens democratic values but also guarantees that all voices – particularly those of marginalised communities – are represented in decision-making processes.
With South Africa's diverse population, it is critical that our democracy reflects the interests and needs of every citizen.
The DA in KZN remains committed to encouraging greater participation in the democratic process. Through regular elections, we offer citizens the opportunity to assess government performance, ensuring that power remains in their hands.
Democracy remains our strongest tool for fostering good governance, stability, and progress in South Africa, while the KZN Legislature is well positioned to share its well-created procedures and systems. The DA sincerely hopes that the Namibian delegation will enjoy our province's generous hospitality, beautiful scenery, and spirit of ubuntu.
We trust that continued engagement will build a stronger, more accountable government — one that can effectively address KZN's unique challenges .DR IMRAN KEEKA, MPL | DA chief whip in the KZN Legislature
Enough is enough – no more racism!
Blatant and brazen acts of racism, are still heard in the halls of our schools and learning institutions.
Scholars are being labelled as 'monkeys' in acts of humiliation that cannot be allowed to continue. Racial discrimination at schools must be exposed, and thoroughly investigated, and those exposed should be dismissed from the teaching profession. Their deeds and pictures should be displayed in our hall of shame.
Today people of prejudice have learned how to camouflage their racism in various codes and convoluted euphemisms. These racist remarks should not be whitewashed. They need to be properly, accurately, and verbatim catalogued in our hall of shame and made available to future generations. These outbursts indicate deep entrenchments of racial prejudices and stereotypes. These toxic words endure because they are so poisonous.
Racial slurs have been buried and thrown on the trash heap, many times. Yet they still rise like zombies undead creeping across our nation. Hurtful words that destroyed careers for those uttering it, yet it can be an endearment to others. These words are so embedded in racist culture that it is the ultimate epithet in reference to black people.
Enough is enough, any form of racism must be thoroughly cleansed. | FAROUK ARAIE Johannesburg
Leave of absence was the wrong choice
A few weeks ago, South Africans heard the serious allegations about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated law enforcement structures.
On Sunday, July 13, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the formation of a commission of inquiry to focus on the shocking allegations that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently made and how the alleged deep-rooted corruption will be dealt with.
While I agree that the allegations must be attended to with the necessary diligence and all parties must be given a fair chance to express themselves, citizens
are tired of the many costly, time- consuming and unsuccessful commissions of inquiries. The most famous commission of inquiry, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector also known as the Zondo Commission, is yet to see the recommendations being fully implemented and justice served against those who benefited or gained from the abuse of power and state capture.
Instead of a 'leave of absence', Ramaphosa should have suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu as a deterrent measure, thoroughly investigate the allegations, and then, if proven on a balance of probability dismiss the minister after a fair hearing.
Commissions, which have the possibility to uncover the truth, only matter if their findings lead to action and are backed by consequences, sanctions and justice. | MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg
This is what he would have wanted
I honour Madiba's legacy by seeking to do good every day of my life, wherever I may find myself!
On Friday, I watched how the hyenas donned sheep skin to do good in the name of Madiba. They kept quoting Nelson Mandela, using his name, not to be captivated by his teachings.
What should have been the language of life-giving hope and shared solidarity has instead become the empty prattle of useless after rally talk, the conscience salving piety of vain political discourse, the self-serving sermonizing of media pieces.
They feed the poor with slogans and rhetoric statements instead of food, while they fatten themselves on the hopes and trust of the poor.
I listened to many ANC leaders and ministers uttering useless drivel about the great man and how we should learn from his example, whereas they are the greatest violators of the very same legacy. I witnessed commercial entities putting on carefully planned and choreographed events in honour of his legacy, and the rest of the year, they do very little to live up to that legacy.I was not surprised to see cheap politicking and campaigning activities aimed at serving their own interest going at the same time. How much of these events are truly altruistic, purely for the benefit of the less fortunate?
I say again: I'm committed to doing good every day of my life, everywhere i find myself! This is what the great man would have wanted! And this is what the country needs! | Thulani Dasa Khayelitsha
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