Learn about the root causes of UJ stampede

I WAS struck by Adam Habib's "Dying for a chance at higher education" (January 15). I feel it highlights the stark reality in South Africa, and shows the shallowness of those trying to run away from it. The initial reaction to the tragedy of the January 10 stampede at the University of Johannesburg was emotion-filled, with most parties, led by the media, pointing fingers at the educational institution. It is appalling how these parties chose not to dig deeper and find out the root causes of the stampede. Habib clearly articulates these causes and, in my eyes, removes all blame from the university.He also highlights the urgent need to revitalise South African secondary schools, making them "a conduit for information". Unless the economy can provide jobs for graduates, South Africa will have a generation of jobless graduates who will live in poverty or seek greener pastures elsewhere - which will mean a loss of skills. The result will be a continuation of the cycle of poverty in the nation - and there will be consequences. Remember, it was an educated vendor who sparked the Tunisian revolution. - Peter Jnr Chakwenya, by e-mail

PROFESSOR Habib is on point when he suggests the stampede was a product of desperation among poor people. If one could have asked those in the queue that day what they wanted to study, I am sure few would have given a well-informed answer on their career choice. This suggests a painful cry from the young who don't have the luxury of career guidance in high school. It serves as a sign that the youth of this country, poor or not, are willing to make something of their lives. The question is, are the universities and the minister of higher education capable of assisting them? - Manelisi Molose, by e-mail

Taxi debate speeds up

REDI Tlhabi, what a great column, "The pain of looking back to when I was a victim of sexist taxi drivers" (January 15). I saw this very thing when I was still at university: it's heartbreaking when a woman has to fend off taunting men. Life is tough for a lady in these Mzansi streets. I'm reminded of the song Yvonne, by Tumi and the Volume, which depicts a similar situation. - S'thembiso Mvubu, by e-mail

I'm a taxi driver in my mid-twenties, well educated and highly intelligent. Don't confuse me with those old drivers who used t o drive "Zola Budds" in the '80s. To some, driving a taxi is a curse, but to me it is a way of life and I can assure you that it brings a certain fulfilment at the end of day. So next time you want to write an article about us, don't generalise. We're not monsters. You, on the other hand, are a monster. - Taxi driver, by SMS

A sista with sense

I FIND Phylicia Oppelt to the point, honest and thought provoking. She, as a black woman, has had the guts to tell it like it is, say what many of us think but don't for fear being labelled racist. She has shown more gumption than many a male. Her outspoken views on Thabo Mbeki, should have been made public long ago. Oppelt now correctly has some words for President Jacob Zuma, who has fared even worse than Mbeki, "The ghost at the feast warns Zuma that no one is safe" (January 15). Anything that can go wrong has gone wrong under his sorry excuse for a ruling party. Should you decide to run for public office you have my whitey vote. You go. - HP, Cape Town

Flawed houses of dreams

SHAME on eThekwini municipality and the Mpisane clan, "Tax dodger's R176m deal" (January 15). Shame on you, living in your splendid mansion with an adjoining mansion adapted for your cars, while your customers peer through the cracked foundations of their dreams of a promised house and happy life. - An ex-policeman's neighbour, by e-mail

Whites: arrogant or not?

"WHITE arrogance undermines black opposition" (January 15 ) by Jonny Steinberg is an insult to black and white South Africans alike. In his reaction to the "large and vitriolic response" he received from white people, he casts all whites, particularly older members of the race, in one stereotyped mould. He does the same with black professionals. As one of the older white readers Steinberg refers to, I remember "skelm" (villainous) Broederbond cadre deployees who would easily have given any "skelm" ANC cadre deployee a run for his/her money, no pun intended. I would like to appeal to Steinberg and all other good newspaper columnists to please give us, the individuals who do not hate blacks or want to get rid of all whites, something to read that would appeal to us. It is boring to the point of being nauseating to read one article after the other driving the wedge deeper and deeper between various South Africans with every word written. Don't let me love my fellow South Africans during the week and then read how bad they are on Sundays. Trust me, you will not be fired by even the most business-minded, budget-conscious editor for taking part or even leading in building our nation by telling stories to all those individuals that want to see us all, irrespective of who we are, succeed in finding African solutions to African problems. We will then produce the "leaders we wish for" as Steinberg so eloquently puts it. And don't be surprised if the stereotyped blacks or whites won't mind whether those individual leaders are black or white.- JMD Erasmus, by e-mail

IT is time to say something realistic about the "good old days" under white rule and encourage fellow whites to wake up and think. The ANC government isn't doing a great job, but ... its responsibility lies with 45 million people, not 4.5 million. Jonny Steinberg, you are right to point out that the black governments in Africa didn't really inherit anything too great from the white colonial governments they replaced. - Este Coetzee, by e-mail

I'M not opposed to everything Jonny Steinberg said, but I'm afraid selected whites don't want to accept the fact that blacks are developing themselves . We are fighting to have the same success as whites, such as top positions, which are still dominated by white people .- Thapelo, by e-mail

I WOULD like to applaud Jonny Steinberg on the insightfulness of his excellent column on white arrogance. He was both succinct and eloquent in capturing and relaying the disease that lies within the hearts and minds of white racists - the belief that they are superior in thought and deed. - Glenda Moore, by e-mail

Protect us from quacks

I AM disgusted with the response of the Health Professions Council of SA in "Banned SA doc resurfaces in the Cape" (January 15). The council has an obligation to protect children and adults from incompetency and malpractice. The council must do its job - not just take the annual registration fee. - Nadia, by e-mail