Letters to the Editor

Do as you like in Zuma’s media-free republic

THERE are divisions in the ANC – that is a fact, not fiction. The media have been blamed for creating this assertion – mainly by the so-called Jacob Zuma supporters.

It seems that the media and the National Prosecuting Authority are the ones creating the divisions.

It appears that it is the media that caused people to burn T-shirts with Mbeki’s name on at Zuma’s court appearance; it’s the media that caused people to walk out of the reburial of Mabida in Durban; and it is the media that circulated the hoax e-mails about the ANC succession debate.

It is also the media that plotted to cut Zuma’s so-called political ambitions.

It is the media that stoned S’bu Ndebele at a rally in Durban and they caused the KwaZulu-Natal branch, SACP and Cosatu to publicly declare their support for Zuma.

Lastly, it is the media who said in court that Zuma took a shower after sleeping (without a condom) with a daughter of another comrade who is HIV positive.

Looking at all these facts, I see that the South African media have fallen victim for telling the truth.

I wish Zuma’s legal action against the media success for it seems that the media causes him to sing Mshini Wam, the national anthem of the Zuma republic.

I am sure media will be banned in that republic and there will be no prosecution of any crimes that relate to fraud, corruption and rape. – Loyiso Phantshwa, Grahamstown

DA race pretty much won

THERE is now a 12-day countdown to the election of a new DA national leader. According to an opinion poll, Helen Zille, mayor of Cape Town, is in the lead with 85 percent.

Struggle veteran Joe Seremane is in second place and the Eastern Cape’s Athol Trollip trails behind in third place with four percent.

I can see no concrete achievement for the community which can be credited to Athol Trollip.

He may return to East London a very disappointed person! – Kerry van Heerden, East London

All was fair at Fort Hare

THE Daily Dispatch headline UFH criticised for old era code (DD April 23) surely caught the Fort Hare community by surprise.

Having just concluded a policy roadshow in which I workshopped staff on the university’s Employee Relations Policy, the headlines were indeed a demotivating epilogue to such participative sessions and an enthusiastic audience.

Workshops were conducted by the university’s chief human resources officer on April 13 in Bhisho, April 17 in Alice and April 19 in East London.

The road shows followed the approval of the New Employee Relations Policy by the university’s council at its March meeting.

The policy, which incorporates both the university’s Grievance and Disciplinary Codes, was workshopped and endorsed by organised labour as was confirmed by Nehawu’s Siyabonga Kobese.

I would like to stress that the university had never used any of the “outdated and reactionary” clauses of the old Fort Hare Disciplinary Code, as claimed, since the inception of the New Constitution and the enactment of the New Labour Relations Act.

I would like to challenge any current or former employee who believes that any of the clauses were used as a basis for deciding their cases.

It must be understood that the Labour Relations Act provides a dispute resolution framework to assist organisations in dealing with disciplinary and grievance issues, regardless of whether or not such organisations have an organisation-specific policy.

Absence of an organisation-specific disciplinary code should not be seen as a moratorium on discipline as long as fairness is at all times central to disciplinary and grievance handling by any organisation.

The matter should now be laid to rest, to allow the employees cited in the Daily Dispatch to pursue their appeals in accordance with the principle of fairness, as enshrined in both the Constitution and the Labour Relations Act. – Zandisile Dweba, Chief HR Officer, University of Fort Hare, Alice

Tony, you disappoint me

I READ with interest an article written by Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon (DD 23 April).

I had anticipated a lens that would see South Africa with few faces similar to his, rich like the Americans, disproportionately living with poor and densely populated groups. I am disappointed.

For him to say matters are not debated for lack of representation – which political party does he want to be included in because his is in Parliament?

His article has no bearing in South Africa and Africa. Maybe he wanted to tell us that he was on an eight-day tour to the US – something we cannot even think of with empty stomachs.

His party is conspicuous enough but has failed to recover the poverty stricken to the mainstream economy.

The banks he refers to as being gentle have never been. They are prepared to spend millions for a petition but never give or increase bursaries or loans to students.

One day we will not be in political control, but in economic control as well. – Mbulelo Qotoyi, Ngcobo, Qebe

Let them sing Bok’s song

AT THE time Bok van Blerk brought the song De La Rey to fruition, little did he know that the song would cause such a storm in a teacup.

The fact that the words coincidentally “sound” like the Boers should rise is a figment of the imagination.

It is a harmless piece of history that happened a century ago, turned into lyrics.

Let sleeping dogs lie and it will fade away harmlessly with time.

For those who wish to sing it, let them do it “uit volle bors”. – Clive Smith, Despatch

Bouquet for Buffalo City

I HAD read complaints in the Daily Dispatch about Buffalo City Municipality lately, and thus was dubious when I approached the Roads Maintenance Department regarding a few problems that needed to be rectified in front of our B&B in the Quigney.

I was pleasantly surprised by the efficient way in which the problems were fixed.

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following people in particular, who were friendly, able to answer my enquiries and give me the advice I required: Rodney van der Merwe, Tony Britner, Lulama and Mr Fossate.

Thank you so much, guys, you have been instrumental in upgrading a small piece of the Quigney!

In this day and age, people are so quick to complain and moan about poor service, but when something is done properly, no one takes the time to acknowledge the good service provided. – Heidi Lindner, African Dreams B&B, Quigney

FROM OUR FILES

APRIL 26, 1957: (picture) Dr Alexander Kerr and Professor Davidson Jabavu talk about the early years of Fort Hare University before the university’s graduation ceremony taking place in Alice today. Dr Kerr and Professor Jabavu were the first two teachers when the college was started in a house in Alice during World War 1. Dr Kerr was principal of the university for 33 years and Professor Jabavu taught there for 30 years. Both men are now in retirement.

APRIL 26, 1977: The end is in sight for the tattered brown R1 note. It is to be replaced with a coin. Nearly three million coins have been distributed to the banks who will be holding back until the issue date, July 1. From that date the Reserve Bank will start withdrawing all R1 notes. The new R1 coin is made of nickel and will be the only white coin with a milled edge.