Mandela letter was off-side

EDITOR – Your publishing of the reader’s letter “Were Mandela supporters there?” in the 17 January edition was disappointing and in poor taste and is a display of questionable editorial intent.

I am not a Mandela ‘worshiper’ but do have a huge respect for his world revered statesmanship which is totally incomparable to those dictators, murderers and despots he is compared to in the letter cowardly written under a non-de-plume that you saw fit to publish.

Although the reader is entitled to his or her opinion, publishing this letter in a community specific paper is divisive and does little to foster community spirit, which we are led to believe is the intention of this publication since its inception. Does the sentiment expressed in the letter perhaps resonate with the general sentiment of Caxton publications? For a publication servicing a peaceful, interracial and mixed cultural community such as ours, this letter was inappropriate and shouldn’t have seen the light of day in print. Will you so readily publish a sentiment from the other side of the fence such as this?

CLIVE SMITH

Ed’s note: Thank you for your letter and your comments. The letter in question does not reflect the views or editorial intention of this or any Caxton newspaper. In fact, the front page coverage afforded to Madiba’s passing at the end of last year was indicative of the stature of this great statesman and the high regard he was and will always be held in. However, as editor my role is that of gatekeeper – not censor – when it comes to opinions.