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Every child deserves the joy of books

Today, as we celebrate International Literacy Day, we are reminded of the power of reading to transform lives. Literacy is more than a skill – it is a gateway to education, opportunity, and leadership. Yet, it is heartbreaking to know that many children in South Africa have never even set foot in a library.

If we are serious about building a brighter future, we must prioritise literacy.

Access to books and a love of reading must be encouraged at every stage. Parents, in particular, have a vital role to play. By introducing children to libraries and cultivating a passion for reading, they help unlock their children’s potential and open the doors to opportunity.

The saying goes, “Show me a child with a book in hand, and I will show you a future leader.” The absence of libraries – especially in under-resourced schools – would be a devastating setback. To bridge these gaps, retired educators could step forward to share their knowledge and passion.

Figures such as Kamal Panday, Thyagaraj Markandan Thayalan, Dolly Reddy and many others could serve as mentors in communities where libraries are absent, ensuring children still benefit from guidance and inspiration.

Nelson Mandela’s words also ring true: “Not a day goes by that I don’t read every newspaper I can lay my hands on.” His example reminds us of the discipline and power of daily reading. We can foster the same culture by encouraging our children to start small – even with the Daily News – and gradually grow into lifelong readers. As Joseph Addison famously said: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Let us nurture a culture of reading, invest in libraries, and empower our children with knowledge.

On this International Literacy Day, let’s commit to giving every child the gift of reading and, with it, the chance to shape a brighter future. | Dayalan Moodley Mobeni Heights

Taxi lawlessness demands answers

The recent strike by taxi owners and drivers raises troubling questions that demand honest answers.

First, who compensates the hourly wage workers prevented from reaching their jobs during such disruptions? Certainly not employers, already struggling to keep their businesses afloat in today’s harsh economic climate.

The burden falls squarely on ordinary workers, who can least afford the loss.

Second, why call a strike when the fault lies with non-compliance by the industry itself? Vehicles are impounded because they operate outside designated municipal routes and ignore fines. Instead of taking responsibility, the industry lashes out at authorities trying to enforce the law.

Third, what gives taxi drivers the supposed right to flout the rules of the road? Excessive speeding, reckless lane changes, tailgating, jumping red lights, and indiscriminate stopping on busy streets are routine. Aggressive behaviour towards other road users is all too common. These actions endanger lives daily and bring chaos to our roads.

Finally, when will taxi owners begin to pay their fair share of taxes? The industry is cash-driven, with drivers required to hand over weekly envelopes of cash to owners. Yet the contribution of this massive sector to the national fiscus remains unclear. Every other legitimate business pays its dues to help fund government services – why should the taxi industry be exempt?

The taxi industry plays an essential role in moving millions of South Africans every day. But this importance does not place it above the law. If it wishes to be recognised as a legitimate business sector, it must respect road rules, comply with regulations, and contribute to the tax base like everyone else.

Until then, strikes that punish innocent workers and reckless driving that endangers lives will only deepen public resentment. The time has come for accountability. | Errol Hicks Hillcrest

AG has the power – now use it

The auditor-general (AG) now wields greater power, including the ability to call for prosecutions where corruption has been uncovered.

The AG’s office has done superb work in “speaking truth to power,” exposing corruption across the board and revealing the rot in almost every government department. This corruption has directly led to failing service delivery and the collapse of public amenities nationwide. The practice of cadre deployment has compounded the problem, leaving ordinary South Africans to bear the cost.

It is encouraging when individual departments, such as Public Works and Infrastructure, step in to expose corruption and pursue litigation against those responsible. But this cannot be left to isolated initiatives.

I urge the auditor-general to go further: Name and shame each corrupt department and its leadership. Only by shining a light on accountability can we replicate the decisive actions taken by Ministers Dean Macpherson and Leon Schrieber at Home Affairs.

The public deserves transparency – and corrupt officials must face consequences. | Michael Bagraim Cape Town

From ‘never again’ to never enforced

The global order established after World War II was built on one solemn pledge: never again would humanity witness genocide or the deliberate destruction of entire peoples.

Institutions such as the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions, and the International Criminal Court were created to protect the weak, restrain the powerful, and uphold that promise. Today, those mechanisms stand gravely weakened.

The wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the occupation of territories, and the collective punishment of civilian populations reveal a blatant disregard for international law. When hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are bombed in defiance of the Geneva Conventions, when occupation is normalised, and when veto powers at the UN Security Council block accountability, “never again” becomes a hollow refrain.

This failure is not only legal – it is moral. The rules are applied selectively: Justice for some, impunity for others. Such double standards have left the UN and related institutions looking toothless, unable to provide even the most basic protection to civilians trapped in conflict. The consequences are profound. Weaker nations lose faith in the international system and are left vulnerable to domination. Refugee crises destabilise entire regions. Trust in multilateral co-operation, once the foundation of peace and trade, steadily erodes.

Meanwhile, extremist ideologies thrive on the perception that the global order is nothing more than a mask for raw power. The result is a world poorer not only in security but in conscience. A rules-based system that once inspired hope is being replaced by the law of the jungle. If violations of international law continue unchecked, the safeguards created after 1945 will vanish. The ideals born from the ashes of the Holocaust risk whithering into ceremonial words, stripped of meaning. Humanity must choose: Recommit to these institutions, reform them where necessary, and hold all nations equally accountable – or accept that we are entering a darker, more dangerous age where history’s gravest horrors may well repeat themselves. | Adiel Ismail Mount View

Hajj must serve pilgrims, not profits

I am deeply concerned about growing calls to enforce a Nusuk Hajj model for South African pilgrims.

While I welcome the use of technology to improve access and efficiency, a fully digital, centralised system without local co-ordination will not serve the best interests of our Hujjaj.

For decades, South African pilgrims have benefited from people-oriented Hajj services. These grassroots structures have ensured affordable packages, respected diverse schools of thought, and supported pilgrims through trusted, accredited service providers. Hajj is not just about logistics – it’s about peace of mind and a spiritually enriching experience.

A purely digital model risks removing critical safeguards. Many pilgrims – especially the elderly and first-timers – depend on personalised support from local operators who understand their unique needs. Without them, we risk higher costs, and alienation – particularly for those with limited tech access or financial means.

Even those who have waited years on official Hajj waiting lists could be derailed if local systems are bypassed or ignored. While I support innovation, challenges such as data costs, and platform instability during peak times remain serious concerns.

I, therefore, strongly advocate for a hybrid model – one that embraces digital platforms like Nusuk, while integrating the trusted community-based systems that have served us for generations.

Above all, we must remember: Hajj is a sacred obligation, not a commercial venture. It must remain a service of faith, not profit. | MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg

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