Demise of corporal punishment to blame for schools crisis
Politics
Sam, you say the government must give diplomatic immunity to the Guptas in the same way they gave Grace. But do two wrongs make a right? Cello, Wentworth.
To the government department that organised the school dance competition at Toti Civic Centre, please organise things properly next time. The kids enjoyed themselves, but the boys and girls had to change in the parking in front of everyone. I’m sure your daughter would not like to take off her clothes in front of everyone! It is easy to rent a few tents… Next time, please. Thanks, Buzz.
Land invasions
The eThekwini municipality urges law-abiding citizens not to confront land invaders, but instead to contact the city’s security management. Yeah, right, as if that will help! Legally it takes years, even decades, to remove squatters. The eviction process is hindered by a legal system that’s sympathetic to anarchists, and by politicians that owe their existence to the squatter vote.
A certain community is hammering the DA for not standing up and condemning the recent land grabs in Bonela. Where was this community when the ANC were implementing discriminatory AA legislation in Parliament? You thought you would benefit from AA, that’s why you kept quiet! By the way, you are not going to be protected by a liberal DA. Look to a more conservative party in 2019 to get law and order back on track. Martel.
Zuma sons
The concern has been that the Guptas are using the father of Duduzane to effect state capture. What if the Guptas are being used by the Zumas, all of them, to create a dynasty? Real peril! Ian.
Odds and ends
Prior to 1994 corporal punishment in schools was something every schoolgoing child dreaded. If your homework was not presented on due date, you got punished. If you misbehaved in school, you got punished. When you disobeyed your teacher’s instructions, you were punished. The fear of punishment got you to produce your homework on due date. The fear of punishment got you to behave in school. In this way discipline was instilled and maintained in school. For fear of punishment, you respected your teachers and principals. In those days, when you got punished in school you never dared to complain to your parents. If you did, then you got a second round of punishment from your parents. In school, our teachers and principals were our surrogate parents. You had to listen to and obey all instructions given to you by your teachers and principals. Fighting among pupils was seldom heard of. The abolishment of corporal punishment is the main reason for pupils’ lack of discipline and respect for their teachers and principals.
I sympathise with poor domestic workers. However, mayor Gumede is acting outside her mandate to set up a municipality hotline for complaints by domestics. This is the function of the Department of Labour/ CCMA. Was she ever inducted in her job?
The indefinite construction of the sections of road at the uMhlali and uMvoti Bridges must reach a finality to ease the congestion at these points, and to make it safer for vehicles. Furthermore, the sections under repair should be well lit up with flickering lights for nighttime travelling. Motorists who are not familiar with the construction on these sections can easily cause damage to their vehicles, or even cause an accident. Sanral needs to prioritise the completion of the work on this very busy freeway. SAPS. Well done. Keep up your good work. Glen.
DSTV. Some like cricket/ soccer/swimming etc. This sport is still being viewed on Dstv. Please give a reason why have you stopped the wrestling programme. Very upset.
The contractor who closed one lane of Higginson Highway during peak traffic (7.30am, August 29), to change street lights, should be fired.
What kind of species will attack people in a place of prayer?
Comrades Marathon committee: I am a grandmaster and on a small pension. Your fee, which is almost R500, is becoming harder to rake up each year. Please consider a concessionary fee for us which, I think, won’t affect your budget since we are a small number of entries. Daloo.