Regarding Phumla Matjila's column "Aching layers of pain" (June 12), most of us agree that apartheid was a disgrace and deserves to be blamed for many ills in South Africa. However, I do not believe apartheid should be to blame here.

Since the beginning of time birds of a feather have flocked together. Long before apartheid, people have always gravitated towards those who are similar to themselves, be they the same tribe, race, religion or political group.

Look around Johannesburg - you see areas inhabited mainly by Chinese, or Italians, or Portuguese, or Afrikaners . All by choice. A few do step out of their comfort zones or communities, but the majority choose to be together and have always done this and will carry on doing so. It makes people feel more comfortable, stronger and united.

The case of the Shangaan being singled out as inferior is typical of this particular Shangaan living among people of a different tribe. People do pick on those who are different (or in the minority) - especially children. This has nothing to do with apartheid.

Let us adults grow to be bigger than this problem.

The way we can change it is to understand the problem with maturity and understanding of basic human nature.