IN the 19th century some believed the source of anger was the spleen. Today we know it is part of the brain, with some people being able to exert more self-control in their anger management than others. Regrettably it is the latter for some of your letter writers who favour the Union and are “venting their spleen” by turning analysis into an art form of pure nonsense, accompanied by real envy at the success of their opponents. Permit me to join in with some facts. Scott Macintosh (Letters, May 13) says “democracy should begin at home. Let’s start with respecting the will of the 50.4 per cent who voted for parties opposed to another independence referendum.” It may have escaped Mr Macintosh’s notice that the Scottish Parliamentary election was not a vote-based referendum, but an election based on seats on a system imposed by Westminster – a system they dare not use themselves in Scotland. Mr Macintosh and others should currently be rejoicing that the Westminster “
Mpumalanga police are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Nokwanda Zulu (18) of Georgedale in Mpumalanga. She was last seen on 3 April 2021 at Othwebe area in Msunduzi. Nokwanda was wearing a black crop top jersey, black shoes, and black jeans. She is medium built and dark in complexion.
We appeal to anyone who may have information or knowledge regarding her whereabouts to contact the investigating officer Detective Constable Mbambo on 073 988 6620 or the Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
I HAVE no wish whatsoever for Scotland to become independent, however I have no doubt in my mind that a fair proportion of the Scottish population wishes it to be so. The last referendum was held using poorly-defined wording on the actual vote, and no clear timetable as to the lifetime on the decision of that vote; one generation is far too loose a definition. All sides in Scotland must sit down and agree on the voting procedures, in particular deciding the percentage of the vote, not just a straight first-past-the-post vote, required to decide the final outcome, and how long should pass before another referendum on independence is to be held.
A BRIEF business news story, STV overtakes BBC1 for Scottish viewing (The Herald, April 30) may not have turned too many heads, but even five years ago, such a headline would have been unimaginable. It’s hardly an equal fight between the country’s two pre-eminent TV broadcasters. We have STV, a channel reliant entirely on commercial revenues – advertising and sponsorship – both reduced since the financial crash of 2008 and crashing through the floor following the Covid-19 pandemic. Then there is the BBC, inured and protected from the harsh financial constraints of the real world, enjoying guaranteed income from the compulsory licence fee, generously topped-up by the corporation’s ability and willingness to also operate freely in the commercial market through its various spin-off enterprises.