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People hold signs and chant slogans during a protest against the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini and the government of Iran on October 2 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS MCGRATH
Protests in Iran over the killing of a young woman for not wearing a hijab continue unabated. In Afghanistan the Taliban are resisting pressure to allow young girls to go to school. Viewed from afar it is difficult to understand these cultural norms as they seem cruel and senseless. The line between culture and cruelty would appear to be exceptionally fine.
Why then, I wonder, does Rod Lloyd think kings and queens are the answer for SA’s rural poor? ("Is it time to bring back traditional rural government structures?", November 7). A quick dip into Europe’s medieval history, when royalty were ten a penny, is a litany of endless wars and misery for millions. Hardly a recommendation for a return to tribal heredity unless you subscribe to the idea of museums of mankind, where the rich few can jet in for the weekend to see how the natives live.
I suspect that when push comes to shove, anyone — no matter how remote or poor — would rather rely on the rule of law and the government’s magistrate than the whims of their traditional leader.
Bernard Benson Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Rule of law benefits the poor
Protests in Iran over the killing of a young woman for not wearing a hijab continue unabated. In Afghanistan the Taliban are resisting pressure to allow young girls to go to school. Viewed from afar it is difficult to understand these cultural norms as they seem cruel and senseless. The line between culture and cruelty would appear to be exceptionally fine.
Why then, I wonder, does Rod Lloyd think kings and queens are the answer for SA’s rural poor? ("Is it time to bring back traditional rural government structures?", November 7). A quick dip into Europe’s medieval history, when royalty were ten a penny, is a litany of endless wars and misery for millions. Hardly a recommendation for a return to tribal heredity unless you subscribe to the idea of museums of mankind, where the rich few can jet in for the weekend to see how the natives live.
I suspect that when push comes to shove, anyone — no matter how remote or poor — would rather rely on the rule of law and the government’s magistrate than the whims of their traditional leader.
Bernard Benson
Parklands
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
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