BackChat, what the readers said

BACKCHAT 07/05/2025

Well, Americans are slowly waking up to the fact that they have voted in one of the most dishonest and manipulative presidents in their history. And they got two for the price of one with Elon Musk. Apart from being guilty of 34 felonies and being fact-checked for lying over a thousand times, Trump also instigated the January 6 riots when attempting to steal the 2020. He now wants to take over Canada and Greenland. He has turned his back on Europe and embraced Putin, while Musk is busy firing thousands of probationary workers against the legal framework. Europe has noted that Trump can no longer be trusted. The groundswell against both Trump and Musk is just beginning. Bob Littlefield.

Vusi Mazibuko the head of City Stadia said this event promotes tourism which means he does not care about people who live in the City and surrounding areas but only people from other provinces to come to Durban not people who live in Durban and surrounding areas. Siboniso Makhathini.

I hope you’re doing well. We thank you for projecting the frustrations of the Department of Education in KZN

I am Mlungisi from Northern KZN who runs an independent school. Since last year, two subsidy payments haven't been paid. This year was the same. We are deeply struggling financially due to our geopolitical location. Parents are struggling to pay fees, hence we depend mostly on subsidies. The last time I checked in Ulundi, which pays us, they mentioned their system is slow, and this has been the same story since last year. Now we have no one to fight for us, and we plead that you will escalate our issues out there for the department to come to our aid. Mlungisi.

The looming strike by Grade R teachers in KwaZulu-Natal is not just about wages — it’s about survival in a collapsing system. These educators are the backbone of early childhood development, yet they face job insecurity, poor pay, and mass post cuts. The proposed loss of up to 19000 teaching positions in KZN is a shocking indictment of government priorities. It signals a deep crisis in leadership, especially from the ANC, which has overseen widespread mismanagement, rising debt, and even failed to present a national budget. South Africa is on the brink, not just economically, but socially. Our teachers deserve better. Our children deserve better. And our country deserves leadership that can deliver the basics: education, stability, and accountability. Rajen Maharaj.

Now that the Daily News is streamlined, will the monthly subscriptions also be 'streamlined.' Just asking. Paul Varathan.

I am a grade R teacher, qualified and in this profession for 8 years. Grade R teachers are cursed. Last year, we were taxed R1700 for the month of April. This year again,  the department came up with an excuse that they would deduct 100% less tax from us for next year. We are already paid peanuts. Imagine a large chunk of money removed from your salary? A list was leaked last year with all qualified Grade R teachers, and we were supposed to be absorbed in batches. Now the department is mum about this. Daily News reader.

We are pleading, please allow Ithala SOC to operate with its best service it has been delivering to its clients. We need Ithala back on business for many valid reasons, as the community. Thank you. Ngiwe.