On the spot

Wow, I like your article, Phylicia Oppelt, it's on the spot, "Song of despair for what the new S| might have been" (April 15). - Zwai Nomandla, Cape Town

Reading Phylicia's opinion piece is always refreshing, she has b*lls to comment on the non-discussables. She's a woman of substance and truth. Her observations on Hani's betrayed dream are resonant. The truth is always bittersweet indeed! - Bolekwa, by SMS

Required read

Judith Ancer's "Five signs your child thinks he's too precious" (April 15), was most informative and relevant. As a parent I could relate to some of the specific examples she listed. - Monwabisi Kalawe, by e-mail

Perhaps principals and teachers should cut out these articles, copy them and hand them out to parents. - Elaine Racussen, Port Elizabeth

The skin he's in

I can't believe Sibusiso Vilane references his success in terms of skin colour, "SA adventurer conquers harsh triple challenge" (April 15). Ya neh. - S Dziwa, by e-mail

Talk about sex

I Acknowledge the problem of it not being culturally acceptable to discuss sex with kids, but parents must make a mind shift and start talking about these issues, "Our teens swap books for babies" (April 15). Pregnancy among teens is out of hand and with HIV, I don't understand why it can be taken so much for granted. - Precious, by e-mail

The Department of Education should involve nurses in the life orientation programme. It is not difficult for them to talk sex; they give sex education every day at clinics. The reality is that most of our children are having sex as early as 12 and parents are also not talking sex, so it will be wise to start at primary schools. - Elizabeth Mosa Mphuti, Mohlakeng, Randfontein