Letters to the editor, October 20

All the best with the matric exams

Dear Matric Class of 2025,

As you stand on the threshold of your final exams, I want to take a moment to honour the incredible journey that has brought you here.

On Tuesday, you begin one of the most important chapters of your life – a chapter filled with promise, growth, and opportunity.

Remember: you are capable, prepared, and supported. Each paper you write is a step toward your future. Even when the road feels uncertain, trust in the hard work, discipline, and perseverance that have carried you this far.

Stay calm, stay focused, and believe in yourself – you have everything it takes to succeed.Your teachers, parents, and community stand proudly behind you. Your dedication will open doors and lay the foundation for the bright future you deserve.

Good luck as you begin your exams on Tuesday – go forward with confidence and make us proud! | Thulani Dasa Khayelitsha

Mysterious death of Nathi Mthethwa

September in South Africa is a time of renewal, yet this year, tragedy overshadowed the season.

On September 30, Nathi Mthethwa, our Ambassador to France, was found dead after allegedly falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris.

While authorities claim suicide, mounting evidence suggests foul play.Mthethwa had been named in connection with the Magadla Commission, which is investigating corruption at the highest levels of government and law enforcement. It’s striking that he died just before he could testify.

Mthethwa, a former Minister of Police and a man of intellect and principle, had the knowledge and courage to challenge deep-seated corruption.

Details surrounding his death raise serious questions: a forced window, missing hotel staff, altered bookings, and suspicious autopsy reports all point to something far more sinister than a simple suicide. There are too many inconsistencies to ignore.

The easy narrative of suicide does not explain the full picture. Mthethwa’s tragic death likely served as a warning — silenced by powerful forces within South Africa’s criminal underworld. His passing must not be in vain. The government owes the public transparency and answers, not a cover-up.

In a world where truth is often buried under power and lies, we must demand justice.

The truth of Mthethwa’s death must be uncovered, and justice must outlive the secrecy that surrounds it. | Kevin Govender Umhlatuzana

The end of sports in a war-torn world

Sticking to the old adage “No sports in an abnormal society” could soon mark the end of all global sporting events, from competitive matches to social gatherings between nations.

Sadly, the evidence of our world’s complicity in ongoing conflicts is undeniable.

Take, for instance, the situation in Gaza. All Muslim and Arab nations are, by their inaction, guilty of failing to intervene meaningfully. Likewise, North America – led by the US as the driving force, and Canada as a passive observer – shares responsibility. Europe, too, cannot escape blame. While many European nations claim to recognise Palestine’s independence, they continue to supply weapons that fuel the violence.

The UK, like so many colonial powers before it, aided Israel with surveillance aircraft used in bombings.

Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand barely raised their voices, offering little more than symbolic support.India, often remaining neutral on the global stage, chose not to take a stand against oppression, despite its own issues with minority groups. Pakistan, the only nation with a voice that could have made a significant difference, silenced it by imprisoning key figures who could have spoken out for the Palestinian cause.Whether it’s soccer, cricket, swimming, or the Olympics, no sport seems immune to the guilt of global inaction. In a world that has devolved into one big war zone, it seems fitting that sports would also come to an end, as a reflection of the world’s failure to address the true crises at hand.

Perhaps this is the reckoning we deserve. | Ebrahim Essa Durban

Brave new thinking, a message for Trump

A standing ovation for Agriculture Minister John Steenhuizen for spearheading the drive to export SA stone fruits into China in the face of Donald Trumps refusal to renew the Agoa trade agreement.

It’s a double win for SA with new markets opening up for the best SA fruits in the world to be showcased in the East and at the same time sending a clear message to Trump that South African agricultural infrastructure won’t collapse as a result of his bullyboy tactics.

There is a huge market for our agricultural products in Asia waiting to be exploited with dignity ….to the mutual benefit of decent trading partners.Well played Minister Steenhuizen!  | Colin Bosman Newlands

The ANC: It’s time for renewal

Almost 34 years ago, in December 1990, ANC President Oliver Tambo handed over the leadership of the ANC after guiding its external mission for 30 years.

He said, “I devotedly watched over the organization all these years. I now hand it over to you bigger, stronger, and intact. Guard your precious movement.”

Tambo’s words are worth reflecting on today, raising important questions about the current state of the ANC.

Have ANC leaders and members upheld their duty to protect the movement? Are we, as Tambo did, prepared to pass it on stronger and intact?

The current ANC is plagued by factionalism, corruption, elitism, and infighting. These divisions continue to erode the party’s values and principles, undermining its mission to create a better life for all South Africans.The ANC’s recent electoral losses, including in the 2024 elections, are a clear sign of this decline.

As the local government elections approach, the ANC struggles to understand where it lost the trust of the people, while the reasons for its fall from grace are clear but ignored by those in power.

To regain the trust of the people, the ANC must embrace fearless discussions and foster democratic dissent. Unity is not about uniformity, but about ensuring that minority voices are heard and valued. Factionalism must be dismantled, and the party needs leaders who are selfless, caring, and dedicated to the people’s well-being, not those driven by self-interest.

As we march towards the 2026 Local Government Elections, the ANC must reconnect with its founding values, renew its membership, and leave behind the division that is tearing it apart. Only then can it reclaim its true mission. | Viwe Sidali East London