Classrooms to Global Chaos: Voices on KZN’s Triumph, Trump’s Threats, and a World on Edge

Letters to the editor

Pass rate shows what collective effort can do

KZN has achieved a remarkable milestone with a 90% pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams.

This highest provincial pass rate is a testament to the hard work and dedication of learners, teachers, and the broader education community. KZN’s education sector has shown real progress, and this achievement reflects the collective effort of all stakeholders.

From learners burning the midnight oil to educators going the extra mile, this success belongs to everyone. The education department said: “This achievement is a reflection of our commitment to quality education and our focus on improving learner outcomes.”

We must build on this and confront the challenges that remain. With continued support and dedication, KZN’s future looks brighter than ever.

To those who did not do as well as they wanted, this is not the end of the road. You have another chance to rise above. Learn from the experience, dust yourself off, and get back to it.

Take a bow, KZN – and let’s aim for a 100% pass rate in 2026. | DHAYALAN MOODLEY Mobeni Heights

Thankful apartheid ended when it did

With the terrifying manner in which narrow and harrowing nationalism is sweeping across every continent and country, we should recognise how close humanity is to disaster.

Judging by the repeated viewpoints expressed in this very paper, particularly by members of the once privileged class, Black and Brown citizens of this country need to thank our lucky stars – and pilchards – that the ungodly Godzilla of racial discrimination was ejected from our cistern when it was.

Only those with their heads permanently buried underground, or those waiting on GODOT, ODIN, or the other eccentric members of Mount Olympus instead of confronting the stench of global politics, will miss the now very linear trajectory pointing towards the erosion of common human rights, the reintroduction of gross racism, and the return of power through wealth, military might, and flexed muscles built on illegal occupation, displacement of indigenous people, violent slavery, and the plundering of natural resources.

With clear apartheid today in Trump’s “somewhat disunited” United States, Netanyahu’s “biblically justified” Israel, and even Modi’s “once-­Gandhian” India – and the world barely looking up from cellphones or YouTube to protest – what chance would Malan’s Union of South Africa ever have had to escape sanctions, embargoes, and even military pressure if apartheid had continued?Every citizen in this country should bow their head, visit their place of worship, and give thanks that we just made it.

Such a miracle is unlikely to happen again. Not anywhere. Not anymore. Not in our lifetime – nor after a couple more resurrections, for sure. | EBRAHIM ESSA Durban

Trump’s threat puts world peace at risk

It has finally happened – Donald J Trump has popped his cork.

It beggars belief that Trump has, without consultation with Congress, threatened to annex Greenland or invade it by force if necessary. His subsequent threat to American allies in Europe, by attempting to blackmail them through raised tariffs if they do not back his illegal invasion plan, is beyond comprehension and has quite rightly been condemned outright by Western Europe.

Trump’s obsession with a so-called threat by Russia or China in the Arctic, with the US needing Greenland as a buffer zone, is a fairy tale as no such threat exists.

Trump is out of control and his unlawful attempt to “own” Greenland by force would result in the first attack by a NATO member on a fellow member in history, leading to the total destruction of the NATO alliance.

Donald Trump remains the biggest threat to world peace since World War II, with his cantankerous, illogical, and reckless decisions. | COLIN BOSMAN Newlands

SA rugby teams do not play like guests

Please allow me to respond to John Goliath’s rugby review of Wednesday, January 14.

He was clearly distressed by the way the Stormers were dismantled by Harlequins, and his review was understandably emotional.

He searches for reasons why South African teams struggle in the URC and Champions Cup, citing big squads and massive resources in the northern hemisphere, and encourages local teams to be braver in this regard.

However, he then makes a remark that borders on insulting. When he says South African teams should stop acting like guests who are happy to be invited, is he implying they do not play to win? That is simply not true. Anyone who watched the Stormers versus Harlequins match could see those players gave everything. South African teams always play to win – results alone do not tell the full story.

My biggest concern, however, is John’s use of geography as the main hurdle. He refers to hauling world-class athletes across the equator through multiple time zones. Crossing the equator does not mean entering a new time zone.

The sun does not suddenly rise in the north and set in the south.

South African teams withdrew from Super Rugby precisely because of the real issue of time zones and jet lag. That fact alone should prompt a rethink of this argument. | JOHAN MAJIEDT Bellville

DAILY NEWS