Give SA Blacks a decent life

Dear Sir,

This is in reference to the article, ‘Mandela legacy: peace, but poverty for many Blacks’ (Gulf Times, December 8). The abolition of the apartheid policy in South Africa, thereby getting liberation from the minority White rule, has given the Blacks in South Africa only political freedom.

Since the nation’s freedom two decades ago, the country has progressed to some extent only. This is because the post-independence governments have not contained growing unemployment among the Blacks. Nor have they given good sanitation for them. The crime against the Black women and girls keeps increasing.

Though, during the regime of Mandela in South Africa for a term of five years, some schemes were introduced to make the Blacks progress economically, they hardly yielded good results. When Thabo Mbeki succeeded him, he had a tough time as Aids spread fast there. Mine workers’ strike some months ago and the subsequent police shootings revealed to the world the paltry salary given to them. Many Blacks have a hand-to-mouth existence. Poverty is still prevalent there. The rich tribute that the Government of South Africa can give to Mandela can be nothing but making South Africa’s Blacks lead a decent life on par with the Whites there.

C  Robinson, robin_son_ch@yahoo.co.in

Child car seats are much safer

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your article on the importance of child car safety seats ( Gulf Times, December 8). Unfortunately, we see that locals as well as expatriates have their children in the front seat or in their laps thinking that they will hold them tightly in case of an emergency.

Also, some are under the misconception that bigger SUVs are safe and seat belts are not required. Hence we see children jumping around inside the moving vehicle. Also, we need to understand that the normal seat belts are not at all safe for children as it is only meant for adults. Children’s ribs are very delicate and soft. Hence in times of emergency, it is much safer to have a child car seat to keep them safe.

HMC is doing a great job by handing over free car seats to every newborn. But to make this initiative successful, the Traffic Department should regularly and strictly implement this rule and impose heavy fines on the irresponsible parents of these children for not adhering to the law.

Today motorists are careful and do not dare to jump the red signal as they are aware of the huge fine. Similarly, accidents and fatalities will decrease when there is a heavy fine for irresponsible driving.

George Jose, Doha

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