Letters to the Editor, May 9, 2025

Don’t let ‘Wolves’ in through back door

As we approach the 2026 local government election, the people of Msunduzi stand at a critical crossroads. Years of failed service delivery, corruption, mismanagement, and neglect have eroded trust in those tasked with running our municipality. The frustration is real, and it is justified. But now, more than ever, we need to channel that frustration into wise, strategic action – not emotional or protest-driven votes that end up further weakening governance.

There is one opposition party in Msunduzi that has consistently stood firm in the face of chaos – the DA. We have been the voice of reason, the ethical alternative, and the true representatives of the people on the opposition benches. While others have played politics or vanished in times of crisis, the DA has rolled up its sleeves and done the hard work of holding the ANC to account.

We have taken the brunt of community anger – not because we are to blame, but because we are the ones still here, still listening, still advocating for change. From budget oversight to service delivery demands, our councillors have provided credible, data-driven alternatives and challenged the rot at every turn.

We are not new to governance. In municipalities across the country where the DA governs – Cape Town, Midvaal, Kouga, uMngeni – we’ve proven that clean, competent, and corruption-free local government is possible. This is not theory; it’s a proven track record. We bring that same commitment and experience to Msunduzi.

But a dangerous trend is emerging. In protest against the status quo, voters are increasingly turning to smaller parties and independents, many with unclear policies or personal agendas. While the intention may be to “punish” the ANC, the effect is often to split the opposition vote – handing power back to the very people voters are trying to reject.

We saw this play out in the recent Ward 110 by-election in Durban, where the vote was so fractured that the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK )won by just 22 votes. The “wolves” walked in through the back door – not by strength, but by division among those who should have stood together.Msunduzi cannot afford this mistake.

We need to consolidate behind a united, capable, and ethical opposition – and that opposition is the DA. We have a clear, sustainable plan for Msunduzi’s future.

We have the leadership, the track record, and the resolve. But we cannot do it alone. We need voters to think not just with their hearts, but with their heads.

This election is not just about protest. It’s about power. Who has the power to fix what’s broken? Who has the experience to govern? Who will ensure that the suffering ends, not continues under a new disguise?Let’s not open the back door to the wolves again.

Let’s choose change that works. Let’s vote DA. | Councillor Ross Strachan DA Msunduzi Caucus Leader

Honouring mothers and motherhood

As we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday and the International Day of Families on May 15, it is opportune to reflect on the important role of mothers and motherhood in a family, and their role in betterment of our communities.In a family both parents share in the overall responsibility of educating their children.

However, the mother is given recognition as the first educator of the child.

The Bahá’í writings state: “mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith of their little ones”.

It is within the family that the child’s character is developed, moral and spiritual attitudes are formed, and where children learn to serve the common good. It is within the family where they learn the values of tolerance, peace, and social responsibility.

A mother is the trainer of children from their infancy. As the first educator of children, she must be carefully prepared for this task. A child needs a nurturing environment and wise guidance, particularly in the first years of life, to develop a sound character and a well-trained mind.

According to the Bahá’í International Community, “Women and girls must be educated – spiritually and intellectually – because a mother cannot pass on what she does not have. A child needs a nurturing environment and wise guidance in the first years of life in order to develop sound character. Moreover, if the mother is unable, because of her own deficiencies, to provide the child with experiences which will equip her for later, formal schooling, she will find herself at a serious, often crippling, disadvantage”.Education and empowerment of women and girls is of course vital, not only because they are first educators, but also for the well-being and advancement of society. Mother can be the primary agent for empowering individuals to transform our communities. The well-being of humanity depends on the development of the potential virtues and abilities of every individual.“The advancement of civilization”, in the Bahá’í view, “now requires the full participation of everyone, including women. Women must, therefore, be educated, not only for the service they render to humanity as the first educators of children, but ultimately, for the special contributions women must make to the creation of a just world order, an order characterized by such compassion, vigour and scope has never been seen in history”

The family forms the basis of both the individual’s material and spiritual development and happiness, as well as of society’s cohesion and advancement. It is the ideal environment in which education for peace and a unified world view can begin. As the first educators of our children, mothers, in particular, can play an important role in the upbringing of the future generation to become agents of change for building better and more peaceful communities. | Flora Teckie Bahá’í South Africa