Readers tackle the hard issues.
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Former ANC Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has been appointed deputy chief whip of the ANC’s parliamentary caucus
Nkabane was axed last July by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations of misleading Parliament and irregular Seta board appointments. She was criticised for appointing ANC-linked politicians as Seta board chairpersons and denying it.
Whatever happened to Ramaphosa’s “Step Aside” rule? Not only has this ANC minister not stepped aside, but she has been promoted to an internal disciplinary position.
Another example of Ramaphosa’s ineffectiveness and the rot within the ANC.
Local elections are coming. | Mark Lowe Durban
There is “not a single Muslim minister in the Indian government”. In the 2024 elections, Muslim candidate Dr Abdul Salam, former vice-chancellor of Calicut University who joined the BJP in 2019, was fielded in Malappuram. He lost.
To enter parliament, candidates must join parties and win elections. Should the government go and “buy” a Muslim minister from Khan Market?
Previously, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi served as Minister of Minority Affairs in the Rajya Sabha. This time Smriti Irani was nominated after objections from other minorities that they, too, deserved representation.
Muslims, not only in India but also in countries like South Africa, often seek a pan-Islamic identity, identifying less as Indian and more with Arab, Iranian or Turkish causes. Those who identify as Indian first are sometimes threatened or despised.
Even former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who described himself as “200% Indian”, was criticised by some who questioned what was Muslim about him
. Actor Salman Khan faced similar backlash after saying: “I am Indian first and Muslim second.”
BJP spokesman Shehzad Poonawalla and spokeswoman Shazia Ilmi have also faced abuse. The death of patriot Maroof Raza drew questiona
ble remarks from some Muslims, yet there was strong grief expressed in India for Iran’s Khamenei. Professor Quamar noted that Iran’s Supreme Leader holds influence beyond Iran, particularly among Twelver Shias. This raises questions about loyalty and political identity among some in India. Most Muslims also prefer voting for Muslim parties.
There are seven such parties in India, or eight if the Congress – which has often been described as Muslim-aligned – is included. | Kamini Prakash Umhlanga
As an advocate for world peace, I can no longer remain silent while global leaders sleepwalk humanity into catastrophe.
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has now crossed the threshold into a full-scale world war, threatening the stability of nations and the very survival of our species. This moment demands clarity, honesty, and courage to confront the political failures that have brought us to the brink.
The following statement is issued in the interest of global peace, human survival, and urgent negotiations to prevent further destruction.
The gross underestimation of Iran’s technological capabilities and strategic prowess by the authoritarian but naïve leadership of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu has plunged the world into World War III.
The conflict is already crippling the global economy. The destruction of infrastructure in the UAE – long dependent on US protection – threatens the very existence of the nation. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered severe global energy and food shortages.
Powerful economies would grind to a halt within days. Unlike World War II, today’s leaders confront powerful nuclear states – Russia, China, and North Korea – creating unprecedented risks to humanity itself.
So far, all costly and sophisticated weapons have been deployed, except the nuclear bomb, a weapon capable of destroying the world and its user. Humanity cannot afford a repeat of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but this time on a global scale. Before desperation leads to nuclear catastrophe, the world must unite for peace now. We cannot sit idle. This is a clarion call for worldwide protests, immediate cessation of hostilities, and urgent negotiations to restore peace.
To prevent global anarchy and the possible destruction of the human race: Current leaders must be replaced. Negotiations must begin immediately with sober-minded, wise delegates. Profit-driven entities must not interfere in the peace process. Rogue politicians and silent architects of this crisis must be excluded. Ethical, educated, intelligent, and humane individuals must negotiate a new world order.
The WEF, UN, WHO, ICC, ICJ, and similar bodies have all failed humanity. Mainstream media has propagated lies and propaganda, worsening the crisis. Honest journalists in the alternate media have revealed the truth and countered deception. The world is rich in ethical thinkers and strategists capable of preventing imminent doom. Their insight and foresight must guide us now.
Humanity stands at a crossroads where silence is complicity and inaction is fatal. Leaders who gamble with global stability or ignore catastrophic consequences must no longer hold power.
Peace is no longer an ideal – it is an urgent survival imperative. The responsibility rests with all nations, institutions, and citizens of conscience to demand immediate negotiations and rational diplomacy before irreversible destruction engulfs us all.
The time for action is now. Humanity cannot wait. | Dr EV Rapitl Mitchell’s Plain
Writers like me are often accused, especially by local Zionist and RSS sympathisers, of “name-calling”.
Speaking for myself, I admit it. I am a fast learner.
From the Israeli regime I hear Palestinians called “animals” and “Ameleks”.
From US defence secretary Hegseth, Iranians are called “rats”. Yet some of this language is misplaced.
Rats hide underground, like Israeli citizens running to bomb shelters, while “regime-change” targets like the Khomeinis appear openly among crowds during Al-Quds Day, even with Israeli bombers overhead.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s cabinet colleagues and many Israelis seek shelter as far away as Cyprus. Israeli policies allegedly restrict shelters to Jews, though clear answers are hard to find.
Many South Africans seem unaware of the origins of Al-Quds Day and its links to our own apartheid history. Perhaps more should examine this. It may explain why some remain indifferent while the destruction of Palestinians continues.
It also explains how this conflict affects what we pay for fuel and transport. | Ebrahim Essa Berea
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola’s response to remarks by US Ambassador Brent Bozell distracted from IMF criticism of ANC regulatory policies and their effect on growth.
Bozell stressed the importance of “commercial diplomacy”, warning it depends on conditions that are undermined by ownership restrictions, heavy compliance demands and corruption concerns – a reference to BEE.
IMF economists issued a similar warning, noting that doing business in South Africa is more burdensome and costly than in comparable economies. Their concern centres on the impact on small and medium businesses responsible for most job creation.
The new Business Licensing Bill, which increases municipal discretion, adds to an already overregulated system. Such policy overreach, opposed by the Trump administration, risks driving investment and entrepreneurship elsewhere.
Bozell urged business leaders to help shape solutions and advise government.
However, as long as Cosatu, the SACP and the ANC remain committed to socialist policies, they are unlikely to heed such advice.
As Bozell noted, the result is stagnation. Three decades of these policies have entrenched poverty, yet the ANC persists.
The National Party eventually accepted apartheid had failed. The ANC risks ignoring similar lessons.| Dr Duncan du Bois Bluff
US President Donald Trump, who has disrupted global trade with tariffs, has convinced Americans they would benefit financially.
Instead, consumers are worse off than under the Biden administration. Revenue from these tariffs is helping fund conflict with Iran, reportedly costing up to a billion dollars daily.
The Middle East is again unstable following claims that Iran is building a nuclear bomb. Trump has also encouraged Kurdish involvement against Iran, risking Kurdish lives without American casualties and with little strategic gain.
Threats of US troops on Iranian soil should be seen as sabre-rattling.
Trump knows another Vietnam-type conflict would be disastrous. He now faces growing global criticism for the consequences of his policies. | Colin Bosman Newlands
DAILY NEWS