Pilger's double standards paint skewed picture of Gaza

Reader's letters to Sunday times

'ALL humanity under siege in Gaza" (September 21) refers. The problem with John Pilger is that, when it comes to Israel and the West, he assumes the guise of a cyclops and takes a decidedly one-eyed view of events.

The mentioned article is a fine example of this.

He quotes an Israeli member of the Knesset calling for the expulsion of Palestinians to concentration camps and another who supposedly called for the extermination of Palestinian mothers as examples of the perfidiousness of the entire Israeli nation. In contrast, he dismisses as propaganda statements that Hamas has called for the destruction of Israel, stating that it was merely the work of "one individual and made public without Hamas consensus". What is sauce for the goose is evidently not sauce for the kosher gander.

That injustices have occurred is indisputable, but, despite what Pilger would have us believe, they have occurred on both sides.

The vigour with which Pilger defends the rights of Palestinians is in sharp contrast with the detached view he takes of Putin's assault upon the Ukraine. - Derrick Fellows, Port Alfred

What about attacks on Israel?

IT is astonishing that Pilger in his diatribe makes no mention of the thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars fired at Israel's cities, towns and airport prior to the start of Israel's defensive military action to protect its civilian population against this indiscriminate targeting of men, women and children. - Mendel Cohen, Pretoria

Time for SA to cut ties

THANK you for John Pilger's truthful article on Gaza. I stopped buying Israeli products and would like to see South Africa break diplomatic relations with Israel. - Edgar, by SMS

School closure breaks the law

"MATRICS on road to nowhere as parents protest" (September 21) refers. The consequences of the "road forum" contingent of the Joe Morolong Community in Kuruman, with regards to its school-going children, will be an open and public challenge to the South African Schools Act and Children's Act.

And, for a mother to casually state that her daughter, who is in Grade 11, had gone to work to earn money for Christmas presents, flies in the face of legislation on child labour.

The issue of school exit age, which is 18 according to the Act, has not been paid any attention to since 1996. The children who have to repeat Grade 11 will be 19 or even 20 when they complete Grade 12.

We are disregarding this law.

Last but not least, those Grade 12 learners who will be lucky to get a tertiary qualifying pass in their February and March supplementary exam next year, will be even luckier to be admitted to any university or technikon in 2015. Let us keep our fingers crossed that we won't have another Joe Morolong Community school saga in the near or distant future. - Monde Ndandani, Dutywa

Did lack of faith kill Wium?

JACO (van der Westhuyzen), you seem to imply that Wium Basson did not have enough faith, as reported in "TB Joshua: high farce and holy water" (September 21). He was very ill and stopped his meds, as he was told to do by Joshua, and made the trip to Nigeria in pain. Once there he was totally ignored by Joshua and went home to die. His story broke my heart. - CGahwiler, by SMS

Find God, Joshua on YouTube

"BLOOD on their hands" (September 21) refers. What I wanted to highlight for you is that, until you are where we are religiously, and have the relationship we have spiritually, you will never understand when the man of God is talking. I suggest you visit Pastor TB Joshua's Church of All Nations one week, even if you are sceptical about him.

You will hear and understand why we are behind him, never mind the negative comments.

He never called himself a miracle worker or took credit for the miracles or healing. He has always said it's the Holy Spirit doing it, and he says "thank Jesus not me" I would like to encourage you to follow him on YouTube or tune in to his live services every Sunday. Perhaps you will get the answers you are looking for. - Dimakatso, by e-mail

Nigeria acts true to form

WE should not have expected any better from the Nigerian government, which has consistently failed to protect its citizens from Boko Haram, including the 200 missing girls. To expect them to react normally in this case is expecting too much. - Bheki Mabanga, by SMS

Next time, build with rocks

THE prophet's building was built mainly with sand, judging from pictures. Maybe if it was built with rock it would not have collapsed. - Christian, by SMS

When big was beautiful

I HAVE just read the article "SA surgeons in demand by women after perfect form" (September 21) about Africans flocking to South Africa for body shaping. It's amazing how the culture of Africans has changed. There used to be a time in the African cultures where big was considered beautiful.- Michelle Langa, by SMS

If you don't agree, stay away

I AM a Muslim lady professional, and I support new ideas and lateral thinking. If people do not agree, they can stay away from the mosque. No one has the right to judge others. The negative response shows how non-progressive Cape Town's community is. Most younger people have no issues with the mosque.

Why were people outside the mosque, when they should be at their own mosques for Friday prayer? Luckily we have a free constitution. - Muslim woman, by SMS

Reviewer missed the point

"AN accidental work of comic genius" (September 21) refers. Tymon Smith's damning appraisal of the book Oscar: an accident waiting to happen is unfair. The book makes no pretence at being anything other than a personal account by the mother of Samantha Taylor.

So what did Smith expect? A literary masterpiece?

I did not find the book edifying - the banality of Pistorius's world is quite something - but I found it fascinating. And at least it is authentic. - Julia Nicol, Cape Town

My heart bleeds for Oscar

THANK you Tymon Smith, you say it as it is. Mrs Taylor and Mrs Steenkamp both have dollar signs written all over them. Thank goodness for pretty blonde daughters. No dumb blondes with these mothers behind them as advisers. My heart bleeds for guys like Oscar. - Lynn Gerber, Somerset West

Government doesn't care

"WHERE fairness meets restitution" (September 21) refers. If the government was serious about transformation, they would have jacked up our education system by now.

There are far too many schools with underperforming teachers and no proper teaching, sport or toilet facilities. Many children have to travel long distances to get a good education. This would not be necessary if there were good schools in the rural areas and townships. Lack of funds is no excuse. It is a matter of getting the priorities right. There is plenty of money for our ministers to feather their own nests. - Wilby Dix, by e-mail