Wake up to alcohol abuse scourge sweeping nation
WATCHING the Cutting Edge TV programme on Thursday December 29 about women (pregnant and young women) and the consumption of alcohol (of whatever make) prompted me to re-ask myself the old question: will we ever win the battle or is it just going to continue to escalate to the worst?
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Fernwood toilets in appalling state
IT is back to school again, and pupils are starting a new year and new grade. But the most excited are the parents of the new Grade R and Grade 1 pupils, seeing their little heroes all dressed up and eager to start their school career.
Public must take stand against early parole for rapists
I AM following with interest the story about parole for the rapists of Alison, as I was the investigating officer in that matter. I have the highest regard for her and the courage she has shown us.
Rather see wild animals in reserves
I TOTALLY agree with Derrick Fellows’s letter, “Circus life one of cruelty for wild animals” (January 17).
Charge officials with murder too
AS road carnage again claimed 1000 lives this December, throughout last year the traffic authorities failed to implement road safety measures which would have cut the carnage by at least 70% and saved at least 10000 lives.
Arrest threat for fine already paid
I REALLY do not consider myself a criminal, yet I have been served with a notice of a warrant for my arrest that has been issued by the traffic department in Port Elizabeth.
Mayoral visit appreciated
THE year has certainly started off on a very promising note, especially for two schools in Ward 40.
Pensioners need to band together
I WAS employed by Veldspun in Uitenhage, part of the Romatex group, and was retrenched in 1992, with more employees retrenched in 1993. The factory closed in 1994.
Be careful how you dress
ALTHOUGH the reasons for the high incidence of rape and violence towards women are multifold, we cannot run away from the fact that “irresponsible” behaviour on the part of females is in fact a contributing factor.
Well done to Dakar winners!
CONGRATULATIONS to the Mini team for winning the 2012 Dakar Rally! Also two thumbs up to the Toyota/ South African team for having locally manufactured Hi-Luxes in the top 10 (“Giniel clinches third place”, January 16).
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Crowd kills rape suspect in New Brighton
AS South Africans we come from a very painful and fractured past, and it is possibly one of the causes of the high crime levels and violence we are experiencing today.
Research topic before making statements
SHAME on you B Mitchley (“No initiative taken to promote sport”, January 12). Why did do you not research before commenting on sport?
Event may become annual one
LAST Saturday, Walk/Run in the Parks – road races over 10km and 5km, and a 1.2km walk for those with disabilities – was held in Mill Park and Newton Park to raise funds, and to create awareness of the neurological motor neuron disease, corticalbasal degeneration, and people with special needs (“Disease awareness the focus”, January 13).
Township pupils need stationery
ONCE again I am appealing to Port Elizabeth families to donate or help my “project” school in New Brighton. Schools have restarted and many of these young children have no stationery at all.
Endangered other motorists
TO the driver of the silver Toyota FJ Cruiser with fishing rods sticking out the back window, on January 13 at around 4pm on the N2 between Sundays River and Coega IDZ, where the road narrows due to construction, you were travelling at such high speed towards Port Elizabeth you almost caused a multiple smash due to your reckless driving.
Agency can’t be proud of state of its projects
THE MBDA is to be lauded for its efforts to uplift the image of our city, but I believe these efforts are not worth the money spent.
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MOB justice seems to have the desired effect. A referendum will reinstate the death penalty. The people have already spoken!
‘Upgrade’ final nail in CBD coffin
ROBERT Burton in his letter concerning the CBD deserves the wholehearted support of all clear-thinking residents in the metro (“In whose eyes was work on CBD successful?”, January 13).
Councillor, do work in Lorraine you’re paid for
THIS is an open letter to councillor Gustav Rautenbach, DA ward representative for Lorraine:
Huge costs to supply electricity
ESKOM’S new Medupi coal-fired power station will start producing electricity next year.
Crack-down on rich tax evaders
LAST week, SARS provided information on a small group of wealthy individuals who have evaded taxation on a massive scale. SARS indicated roughly 9300 South Africans, of which most have wealth in excess of R75-million and earned more than R7-million last year, failed to pay their fair share in taxes.
Officials must be accountable too
THE Judge Chris Nicholson inquiry into the “irregular” payments made to officials at Cricket South Africa during the IPL tournaments played in this country has reconvened and we await with interest his report.
SABC moves mountains
ON Sunday January 15, SABC3 News at 7.30pm moved the Langeberg Mountains, the news reader clearly stating they were near Swellendam, but you can see from the TV map, they are near Cape Town.
Why was Bacher paid R5m for doing job?
No help from traffic officials
I HAVE a complaint about our traffic department in Port Elizabeth. I am so frustrated.
No mention of Lakonia fire, with 128 lives lost
I READ with interest the list of shipping disasters occurring during the last century (“A century of shipping disasters”, January 16).
No need for readers to enter yard
REGARDING the letter, “Meter reader jumped over wall, may have hit dog” (January 12), if a meter reader had to gain access to my readings by jumping over any fence or wall or gaining entry to my property in any way I, like the writer, would be very annoyed.
Use detectors as protection
RHINOS continue to be mercilessly killed. There are methods that will be obvious to electronics technicians that could be tried to prevent the killings.
Happy evening spent at pub in New Brighton
AS a family we were most impressed and grateful for The Herald’s daily information published during the school holiday of where to take our children, where to eat, what to do, etc.
Dog owner the one to blame in meter incident
I CANNOT believe what “Disillusioned resident of Lorraine” has said (“Meter reader jumped over wall, may have hit dog”, January 12). Has she no compassion for the poor dog?
Writer’s viewpoint shocks
REGARDING the shocking letter written by Candice Ferreira of Walmer (“Don’t parade your sexuality for all to see”, January 13), I am horrified you find the groping incident amusing, as you stated. Do you think women should hide their bodies in shame so as not to lead men into temptation?
Circus life one of cruelty for wild animals
THE Herald headline of January 16, “Circus life more than just clowning around”, is chillingly accurate, as circus life involves unspeakable cruelty to animals.
Look for a progressive solution
IT IS a fact that the banning of beach access to anglers has resulted in acts of murder, grievous assault, theft and petty crime being directed at anglers, their families, vehicles and angling equipment.
Doctor spurs on Cookhouse High matrics
I WOULD like to express my sincerest appreciation to Dr Luvuyo Bayeni and his team in the Matric Outreach Programme (MOP), especially as it relates to Cookhouse High School.
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DOES the ANC now believe it can rule the weather? Another disaster in the making! Please DA, come to our rescue. It would be very interesting to know how often the forecast in our area is wrong. A rough estimate is 60%. Can we “bill” them?
Beware of illegal reasons denying pupils admission to schools
AT the start of every school year, thousands of pupils all over South Africa are refused admission to schools. School principals, school governing bodies and even individual teachers give many different reasons for denying admission.
Woeful cricket coverage
WHAT a woeful performance by the SABC on Wednesday night in broadcasting the cricket – almost as pitiful as the Sri Lankans’ performance. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Proteas’ batting and struggling to comprehend how Malinga was still bowling batsmen out with his yorkers when they must surely know one is always on the bowling horizon, I was keenly awaiting the start of the Sri Lankans’ riposte.
Councillor paid to deal with ward concerns
REGARDING the letter from “Disgruntled resident” of Booysen Park (“Our bins not returned”, January 12), it gives me great satisfaction when the community takes note and an interest in its immediate environment.
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Don’t sideline African languages
WE learnt that English is to be included in the Grade 1 curriculum from this year. Based on the fact that people who plan education are well qualified for the work they do, we welcome the introduction of the language at that level.
Coastal road in shocking state
LAST week I took some friends from Cannon Rocks along the road to Midfor and through the Alexandria forest. In the past I have proudly shown visitors to the area the wonderful experience of our coastline and forest.
New building regulations eco-friendly
IN reply to “Solar heating the answer to problem” (January 11), I would like to comment and add some feedback as to what developments are occurring in the architectural environment with regard to plan submissions countrywide. Unfortunately there has not been any media announcement regarding this and it has been the architectural professional’s responsibility to inform their clients.
Assisting reader with complaint
IT was with considerable dismay that I read “Disillusioned resident of Lorraine’s” report concerning the possible attack on her family dog, a female boxer, by a meter reader (“Meter reader jumped over wall, may have hit dog”, January 12).
Article source: http://www.peherald.com/news/article/4498