PROF Harry Sewlall (The Star, June 11) has about the most subdued approach to this saga, of all who have commented. I went to one of the oldest schools in the country and was also initiated, but luckily Paarl Boys High kept within the norms of what us old boys condone.
The attacks on Pene Kimber are understandable as she has opened it up for all to see, in support of the idea of destroying a few kids' lives with what she declares fitting.
However, Kimber, I saw you on Carte Blanche and your anger is frightening. You seem to condone these youngsters receiving criminal records for life. Surely you must realise the impact of such punishment.
Please do not push for criminal records; it is permanent, and anyone sentencing a child for life is suspect.
To the ignorant parents who question whether schools rich in tradition actually mould boys into successful young men my answer is simple. Look around our sports fields and see for yourself how many of these men originated from fine schools. Obviously not every boy is destined for success. But many achieve.
To the father who sees himself as a jaw-breaker, you obviously have not thought things through, as you are influencing kids with your violent statement.
To the kids attending schools that practise initiation, my advice is to ask your parents to remove you if you do not wish to be included. You have no right to change an institution. If it is such a bad practice then the school will close itself with its own actions.
I agree with Pat Witten (Letters, June 11) about giving our children into the care of the institution but I would also have thought that parents need to find out about initiation practices. If they do not want their child to be subjected to such tradition, they should take them elsewhere.
There is an employment agency in Cape Town that once only entertained applications from Rondebosch, SACS, Bishops, Paarl Boys High, Paarl Gymnasium, Van Riebeeck and Paul Roos graduates. I wonder if controlled initiation had a hand in it.
Neville Oliphant, maybe you should do a tour of the above schools as well as Parktown and see for yourself the alumni that have come from them. Are you maybe jealous that you went to a school that cannot compete with such institutions?
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