Jean, by e-mail: Phylicia, as a mother and grandmother, I want to say that you have hit the nail right on the head.

You've pinpointed exactly what's wrong with our new South Africa. We started so hopefully 16 years ago with the promise of "a better life for all", but what we have been fobbed off with now is nothing but "a better life for ME-ME-ME-ME!!!"

You wrote about "the work ethic of Julius Malema", which dispenses contemptuously with "the fear of failure, the sweat of labour, the pride of accomplishments well done".

Entitlement has replaced achievement. That's the glaring omission in the role models being offered to our children right now. The persons and examples of Malema, the populist loudmouth, a hypocrite who claims in public to have at heart only the interests of the poor and oppressed, and Khanyi Mbau, the greedy gold-digger who will do anything as long as she gets the "bling" and media attention.

Thank you for saying it like it is, out loud in the press.

It's all too seldom that a woman like yourself, grounded in real life, who takes seriously the upbringing of her children (still the most important life task undertaken by anyone at any level of society), takes it upon herself to deliver a welcome dose of reality to the general public.

Please, please carry on.