We should be careful what we wish for

14 January 2016 - 02:10 By The Times Readers

I read with interest your article entitled "What do black people want?" Panashe Chigumadzi would prefer whites to disengage from their token charity work, have land redistributed and share out white wealth.This is not a new concept but there never seems to be a plan made on how this will be done. When the land is redistributed, how is it going to be managed and by whom?Perhaps if you could give whites your plan rather than just stating what you see as a problem, you may get a more positive response. Rosemary AdamsI found Panashe Chigumadzi's article enlightening but puzzling.Is it not good to spend time doing charity work?Does this not go some way towards helping people gain insight into the lives of others and contribute towards breaking down the racial divide? - Interested, WestvilleIt mustT be the sub-editor's fault. Perhaps there was not enough space to write the headline "What black people do not want".Panashe Chigumadzi's opinion is 59cm of what black people do not want and 1cm of what she insists "blacks really want". You will not make the poor rich by making the rich poor, or strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. In the end all are destroyedI would like to read a strongly reasoned article about what black South Africans really want. We, all of us, need to know, but this article did not tell us.And please leave out the stuff about whites do this and that and whites think this and that. We are not in charge of your dignity. Mike MuntumhlopeDr Kenosi Mosalakae's letter of January 13 fortuitously appeared opposite a commentary titled "What do black people want?"The real issues facing this country, as the erudite doctor suggests, are not racists nor their rants. Nathan CheimanPanashe Chigumadzi's sentiments are understandable; the historical injustices of South Africa are recorded for all to see.I would ask Chigumadzi to think a little more about his phrase "white generational wealth". He could contemplate some components of that "wealth", like all the institutions of a modern democratic state such as parliament, the rule of law, property rights, a justice system, modern financial markets and a fully democratic franchise.I wonder whether Chigumadzi approves of the enterprising Herman Mashaba, who is adding his weight to a movement towards economically aware, merit-led government?This would involve working with all races towards a non-racial, prosperous future for South Africa.John Nicolson..

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