Letters

The management and leadership page piece by Simon Mantell, A resumé of vast holes and enormous blotches (February 9), refers.

Apart from the comment about Jan Smuts being a great statesman and placing him on par with the likes of Nelson Mandela (clearly a ridiculous assertion), I agree fully with the sentiments of the article.

Mantell should, however, have added the label of “misogynist" to the long list of grievances that ordinary South Africans of all political persuasions (including card-carrying African National Congress (ANC) members) have against Jacob Zuma, a man that the ANC leadership would have us call “Mr President".

• Despite Zuma’s rape acquittal, the fact still remains that he admitted to having had sexual relations with the child of a comrade; a young woman whom he has known since she was five years old. And his comments on the witness stand, including what he believes is appropriate or inappropriate for women to wear, are still disturbing even today. The carrying on of his supporters (including the burning of effigies of his accuser) outside the court where his rape trial was held still rings in our ears today ­ indeed, the legacy of the misogyny displayed both inside and outside that court room lives on in recent statements made by the Boy Genius, Julius Malema at an educational institution in Cape Town, to applause and laughter from the audience.

• As someone who grew up in Soweto, I was horrified to hear Zuma suggest at a rally held at Jabulani Stadium on November 2 that young pregnant learners should be hauled off to de-facto “boot camps" far away from their homes for their “indiscretions". What of the young men (or indeed, older men, possibly including teachers) who got them pregnant in the first place, Mr Zuma? Is it a matter of “boys will be boys" and “deflowered" and “damaged" girls alone should bear the brunt of falling pregnant? And pray tell, how does this boot camp idea reconcile with the Bill of Rights enshrined in the constitution?

Decent, law-abiding citizens are deeply offended by what this man represents. The fact that he is being forced on us by the ANC leadership is not only infuriating but more importantly, truly tragic. SA deserves so much better. This is not what the heroes and heroines of the struggle fought and died for. Cry the Beloved Country, indeed.

Nozizwe Vundla
Sandton
 

With acknowledgements to Nozizwe Vundla and Business Day.