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26 January 1995
A one-party state should be guarded against as it
harbours seeds of discord, fostering the inevitable palace revolution with
tragic
consequences. It would be foolhardy to have an illiterate representing
academicians. For example a Moslem should represent Moslems,
and so
on.
Democracy is government by the people for the people, but where an
overwhelming majority steamroller and silences a country fragmented
by a variety
of ethnic and language groups without proportionate representation, an
intolerable situation arises, as the minorities
concerned have no spokesman to
champion their cause. This is undemocratic with emphasis on the prefix. All
groups sections, communities,
should feel they belong. The arch for unification
of the contented with malcontents should be based on as wide a base as possible
with power-sharing as its foundation stone to satisfy as many as possible though
it is respectfully submitted the impossibility of
achieving an all-encompassing
and satisfying goal for all.
Unrealized expectations and unfulfilled
promises could sooner than later erupt in insurrection with criminal elements
making inroads
into law-abiding communities, preying on one and all. Adequate
counter measures should be implemented to eradicate these random
executioners as
the country has a surfeit of killing fields. Therefore capital punishment for
organized and premeditated murder
cannot be swept from the board.
The
constitution should embody freedom of
1. speech and the
press;
2. religion;
3. language of choice;
4. There should
be affordable health care for pensioners/ under privileged.
5, education
and/or training facilities at reasonable cost;
6. economic housing elec.
power, water, based on income;
7. access to courts based on ability to
pay.
8. South Africans to be regarded as privileged citizens for
protection, help, assistance of employment opportuni‑ties.
9. South
Africa and its people to be priority number one.
10. Trade and sound
relations to be encouraged and medical and/or agricultural information exchanged
with all well‑meaning countries.
11. Family-planning encouraged by
State clinics.,,',
12. No laws to disadvantage law-abiding
persons.
The first bit of correspondence dated 25/1/95 is a general
introduction.
These remarks conclude vvhat hopefully could be reflections
by John Citizen.
Yours sincerely,
J.E.
STOKES
In an assumed democratic society there should be no
absolutes
as options should be open to all sections comprising
that
particular society. What comes to mind at the moment is freedom of
speech, freedom of religion, the freedom and opportunity to seek
employment
which is beneficial to achieving a higher standard of living.
The
under-privileged should have the opportunity of acquiring housing and help to
further the educational and health wherever
possible. The State is after all
the guardian of all ethnic
groups. The help should not be prejudicial to any
section.
We should all strive to obtain as much of the
benevolent
influences there may be and to foster them and to avoid bad
influences, mismanagement and social malpractices as this could be detrimental
to the quality of life.
The practice of satanic activities should not
only be frowned upon but be powerfully discouraged by the State.
If some
of the important aspects of the foregoing suggestions can be embodied in a
social code and adhered to by one and all, if enforced
by legislation to that
effect, it will be to the advantage of the community.
Respect and
consideration should be a priority for all forms of oral communication,
regardless of the language medium as this medium
constitutes an integral, if not
sanctified part of that particular culture.
'VVith best wishes for the
success of your deliberations.
Yours sincerely,-
J.E.
STOKES
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