South Africans speak out: Tolerance, Trump’s G20 threat, crime rage and rising fuel costs

Letters to the editor

The world must embrace tolerance

The world is awash with the victims of intolerance.

Over the past 20 years, scores of thousands have lost their lives to hatred and bigotry. As we witness a new dawn, let us urgently display tolerance.

Tolerance is a supreme quality that forms the bedrock of any society. In an age where electronic media has drawn us closer together into a so-called global village, its benefits will only be felt when mutual goodwill, respect, and understanding prevail.

The world is full of diversity, and that is the beauty of our universe. Without tolerance and harmony, lasting peace cannot be maintained, nor can loyalty and trust between people be established.

Bigotry, stereotyping, stigmatization, insults, and racial jokes are all daily reminders of the intolerance many people face. Intolerance breeds further intolerance, and it is often rooted in ignorance and fear – fear of the unknown, of other cultures, nations, or religions.

Tolerance recognises the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse, and only tolerance can ensure the survival of communities on this planet. One step toward establishing tolerance is the removal of religious prejudice. The world would be a better place if leaders promoted tolerance over hatred.

Even today, despite widespread maturity and awareness of others’ values, cultural intolerance remains rampant. As Voltaire wisely said: “What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other’s folly; that is the first law of nature.”

No meaningful dialogue can take place without respect for human rights, the rule of law, democratic principles, and spiritual values.

Sincere tolerance highlights the imperative for humanity to hold true to its best impulses and guard against its worst. In a world beset with hate, racism, violence, fascism, and polarising politics, freedom, equality, respect, and mutual trust must remain our core values.

Let us all practice tolerance in 2026 and beyond. | Farouk Araie Benoni

Miami G20 sparks US-SA clash

Donald Trump, president of the US, recently announced his intention to block South Africa from attending next year’s G20 summit, which he plans to host at his private golf resort in Miami.

He argued that South Africa is “not a country worthy of membership anywhere” and vowed to end all US subsidies.

This aggressive rhetoric departs from G20 norms and reflects a tendency to use international platforms as instruments of political pressure. Trump also repeated disputed claims of “human rights abuses” against Afrikaners as justification for distancing himself from the G20 meeting held in South Africa.

South Africa need not respond defensively. The final list of invitees for the Miami summit remains uncertain, and G20 procedures do not typically allow unilateral exclusion of member states. By attempting to marginalise South Africa, an influential regional actor and the continent’s most industrialised economy, the US risks damaging its credibility at a time when battle for influence in the Global South is intensifying.

For African and other developing countries, Trump’s behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining strategic autonomy.

More broadly, Trump’s attitude contributes to growing geopolitical fragmentation. If global institutions are perceived as structures of retaliation, states may seek alternative diplomatic arrangements, deepening divides and undermining co-operation on shared challenges.

The implications extend beyond a single summit and could increase instability globally. | MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg

Your Facebook posts

AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel to President Ramaphosa: Condem the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant.

• They will move goal posts, as soon as the chant is banned then there will be another demand – Trevino Fritz
• Why Condem a Chant Afriforum to to the highest Court in the Land? “US expat group condemns Trump’s ‘white genocide’ claims: https://buff.ly/VYtNf18 (Democrats Abroad SA says American President Donald Trump’s comments on land seizures and Afrikaner killings are false, dangerous, and diplomatically damaging.)” – Mziwomelele Ndongeni KaNtshangase
• I think it is time Afriforum provides us with proof. Knowing the ANC it could be possible but at the same time we can’t trust that these allegations could be true coming from a group that does not sit well with the issue of transportation in South Africa. – Kgampie Pro

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Fuel prices to rise from tomorrow, with 95 Unleaded petrol going up 25 cents and diesel by up to 81 cents:

• Xmas coming cadres must have their expensive trips, super car gifts and mansions by the sea! Rape ZA and increase fuel before the festive season! – Gerrie Geel
• Thus is not news happens every December the goverment controls the price in need for bonusses – Ogies Botha

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Limpopo police have opened a case of murder after an alleged thief fell from a ceiling and was beaten to death.

• I never heard police warning thieves. – Bihnie Ledwaba
• Authorities should do their job, so that communities can rely on them, that should prevent similar issues. – Alec Labuschagne
• South Africans don’t believe in the death penalty but have no problem killing! I don’t condone violence in any shape or form and no one has the right to take another life – we can’t go around killing at random – Chantal B Oschmann
• Well, when the police do nothing and the justice system just lets him loose and he lands up doing the same crimes again. I guess he got what he deserved. The people are tired of the crime in South Africa. – Brendon Germaine
• What was he doing there? Was he looking for the chimney? it is too early to play Xmas father – Jean van Rensburg.
• Police incompetence and corruption is the cause of all these things. Community members know very well that these criminals get off scot free, hence they decide to take matters into their own hands. – Fannie Ditshego
• Always worries me that people get such pleasure out of beating people. It says a lot about them. Uncontrolled behaviour. No stop button. – Melanie MacFarlane

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