Alec Hogg: Open men’s eyes rather than poke them out with sticks

By Alec Hogg

Emails and comments received after Friday's newsletter were instructive. And worrying. We published a few, including one from a retired Judge, on the site. Some were too spicy even for Biznews. They went straight into File 13.

Those not published were mostly jumping to conclusions. Like the assumption that a cell phone blocking device in Parliament had been installed on orders of President Jacob Zuma (it wasn't). Or that the decision to change rules on foreign land ownership is out of line with global practice and sure to hurt investment (it isn't and it won't).

We cannot wish away our past. Nor expect any democracy, even ours, to leapfrog the development process. So while we observe, it helps recall Peter Brown, leader of South Africa's ill-fated Liberal Party and a thinker decades ahead of his time. Brown, an MP who called for universal franchise in the 1950s and was frequently jailed or banned for his views, stuck to a credo that it is better to open men's eyes than poke them out with sticks. More persuasion, less aggression. Please.

Yesterday's top stories:

Eskom load shedding – why can Cape Town do what Jozi can't

Anti-ageing pill – is the holy grail of long life already here?

Peter Major: Sell Lonmin – and listen carefully to UK heavyweight's warning on BEE

Punching EFF members leaving Parliament – full video

You DON'T need 5-a-day fruit and veg – Zoe Harcombe tells you why

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