Dear Editor,

This is in response to Michael Dingwall's letter of July 2. I would never want to see the beautiful rainbow nation of South Africa disintegrate economically like Zimbabwe. Western sanctions played their part in destroying the economy as well. However, to make claims that there should be no fast-track programme in aiding blacks re-empower themselves economically via land reform is downright disgusting.

I've never seen 5,000 blacks or people of colour go to settle in any European country and hold it hostage economically. So why the reverse in Africa? Is our homeland not ours to manage? Dingwall's assessment of South Africa's nuclear disarmament is weak at best. The nuclear programme was scrapped as a result of international discussions which at the time favoured few countries having nuclear capabilities for military purposes - that's why Iran is getting a fight.

Dingwall's assessment of the current situation in South Africa is wrong socio-economically and historically. Although the country has corruption issues, to say that the blacks should be content and "learn" from their "betters" is just an example of verbal apartheid masking as diplomacy. Social justice should be for all - blacks, whites, coloureds and Asians. Why shouldn't it apply to the country's majority where two-thirds are black? America and most other European outposts follow this same trajectory. For blacks, a luta continua!

Jermaine Young

jermaine.young21@gmail.com