Children will be children

Ashok Naidoo writes:

Firstly, I would like to thank you for bringing this issue to the fore in your publication.

Secondly, if this is the sort of nation we have become, it is disgusting, and shameful.

“Kids will be kids”, and yes they may play ball, break a window, or fall off a tree. If they cannot be safe in a complex, with security guards, the nanny, and the gardeners, then what option is there?

I find Mr. Soekoe’s remarks very appalling… He should retire to an old age village for peace and quiet, and not try and shift blame to the nannies who “sit in a circle chatting away and do not focus on the actions of the children”. This is a complex park for crying out aloud. What is wrong with socialising there, or kids playing? Does he want them to do this on the street?

The gardener in question should be charged, and the full might of the law brought down on him! There is absolutely NO excuse for slapping a kid. Did he consciously decide, “ok, let me only use 3 fingers instead of 5”? So he deliberately “put away” his other 2 fingers? The marks on the child’s face do not indicate that. Why didn’t he go and chat to the “nannies in the circle” about the child, or better still, move (walk) away? This story stinks!

A nation shows what it is, by the manner in which it treats its women, and children. When we accept these sort of actions, and then worse, try to justify it; it is very sad indeed.

Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.