It's great to see a black brew master, who the real terrorists are and pity the residents of Mobeni Heights

Just who are the real terrorists in this?

“Death to the Nazis” during World War II was a chant that must have seemed perfectly in order. And it could not have been targeted only at the German High Command. British and American soldiers must have been shouting this cry loudly on the battlefield .“Death to the ANC” must have been common during our own apartheid days. Of course the reference was not to the organisation itself – which, of course – like all organisations, is inanimate and defies definition. The death cry is obviously for the members. So what exactly is so special about the genocidal killing machine – the IDF – that it makes chanting, “ Death to the IDF” a breach of accepted free-speech, punishable by banning or imprisonment? Most especially when the world is witnessing the daily massacre in full high-definition on every screen in the world? It is carried out by Israeli soldiers, most of whom seem to thoroughly enjoy what they are doing ?The term “terrorist” also seems to have dubious meanings, depending on ones contemporary perspective.

The ANC’s efforts (together with lots of help from others) won us our freedom from apartheid. Efforts that involved killing of innocent civilians – both Black and White.

Nelson Mandela – co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize – was himself involved in strategic operations that involved violence. So, he was considered a terrorist and jailed for 27 years.But Hamas is branded as a thoroughly terrorist organisation for which every Palestinian must pay the price under the laughable pretext of being used as a human shield! Hamas and October 7, 2023 attacks were the result of seven decades of oppression by Israel. So, who really qualifies for the “terrorist” title?

The solution is easy. The rules defining and governing basic human rights are clear. If any analysis conducted by a perfectly neutral observer finds that some “organisation” is fighting in the cause of upholding these rights, such an “organization” can’t be classified "terrorist”.

On the flip side, countries sheltering regimes that trample human rights should be hauled over the coals and be branded “terrorist”.

Just like an individual who acts alone, a country may be classified as a terrorist organisation and a good few countries qualify, among them the US, UK, Germany, France, and Israel. | Ebrahim Essa Durban

Pity the folk of Mobeni Heights

I feel sorry for the residents of Mobeni Heights.

There are proposals to change its ward boundary and make it part of Lamontville. If this comes to pass, what a kick in the teeth it would be for the residents.

Once proud and snobbish, they always regarded themselves as an exclusive community and never wanted to be part of Chatsworth. Now if the municipality has its way, and changes the ward boundary before the local municipal elections, they will have to come down from their dizzy heights and eat humble pie. Some may say that this damn Markandan is gloating over the plight of Mobeni Heights residents but I am simply expressing my thoughts, no matter how unpalatable they may be.

Included in the demarcation proposal is Havenside which, despite its better homes, is part of Chatsworth.

Mobeni Heights, with its bigger properties and owner-built homes, has long been regarded as an exclusive suburb. But it has been under threat for some time.

Lamontville has been growing and creeping closer to Mobeni Heights.

Crime rates have risen and property valuations have dipped, but the proposed boundary alteration has angered the residents and has them all rallying together against it.

Even a black teacher, **** ***** (name withheld to prevent discrimination) who bought in Mobeni Heights is disappointed about the proposal.

I sincerely hope the residents of Mobeni Heights are successful in their fight. The municipality couldn’t fix the crematorium all these years, but finds it easier to re-draw the boundary lines. Like name changes, it’s easier to change road and town names than to fix the potholes. | T Markandan Kloof

How wonder to see a black brew master

As a naturalised Australian originally from Cape Town, I freely admit that after 43 years of living in Oz, I still yearn for the taste of my favourite brew, Castle Lager.

Which brings me to discussing 41year-old South African beer brewing master (should that not be mistress?) Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela.

She is the first black woman in the Rainbow Nation to own a craft brewery.I was delighted to read about this in an Australian newspaper this past weekend.

We should applaud the remarkable achievements of this talented woman, who owns a microbrewery in Johannesburg, is an international beer judge and taster, and is imparting her knowledge to students at the Brewsters Academy, where younger generations of Black South Africans, most of them women, are learning the art of beer-making. | Eric Palm Gympie, Australia

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