Friday night on air . . .

Female Modesty

Barbra in the US wasn’t happy with some aspects of last night’s programme, especially our caller Rick: “Rape has very little to do with a woman’s dress. It’s to do with taking power.”

Ali in Mombassa has a message for Barbra: “I agree with Rick. Barbra, you go around in those types of dresses you’re inviting trouble. Isn’t it good for a woman to roam around decently? In fact he’s being protective towards women.”

Alison: “A woman should be able to dress how they choose, I don’t like the fashion I see . . .. ”

Ali: Thank you!

Alison: “ . . . I want to go and do my groceries without seeing some young girl without her chest exposed. I don’t agree with the way muslim women dress. I think that is outrageous. Where is the middle line?”

Rachel: “Every time you leave the house you make a choice in what you wear. I’m married; I’m not looking to pickup a man. We have to clarify what Ali means by asking for trouble.”

Khalid in Kuwait is suggesting that women must shoulder some responsibility.

Karen in the Netherlands: “A woman is beautiful as she is. You maybe need to examine your own relationship and how you feel about your wife.“

Rebecca: “Why should we be responsible for regulating other people’s behaviour?”

Khan has phoned in from the Middle East: “Rape is very uncommon here in Afghanistan. Most of the boys would prefer to marry the women who dress modestly because they respect them. If someone is showing off their bodies they don’t command so much respect.”

David is in Australia: “Breasts and the area between the legs should not be seen by the man. For men it’s different.”

Jules: “When I’ve experienced assault I’ve been wearing very ordinary clothing.”

The OR Thambo International Airport

Thebe: “People who undermined black people are not happy. I’m very, very happy.”

Corne: “This is not a political issue.”

Thebe: “This has everything to do with black/white issues.”

Jacob: The name (OR Thambo) represents democracy for all South Africans black and white.”

Thebe: “We are wiping out what was morally reprehensible. They should not squirm.”

Bongile: “I don’t have anything against the name but I don’t see why we have to celebrate heroes from one party.”

Corne: “The freedom charter states that SA belongs to all. If we start naming things after one party or another the government will not last long and we’ll start all over again. Let’s reach out to all communities. It seems that the ANC are focusing on Afrikaner names – names from my community. I find it very objectionable. We need to find accommodation. I object to the ANC’s perception of democracy. Democracy means how do you accommodate the minorities.”

Sulu: “A lot of South Africans don’t know the contribution that OR Thambo made. Naming an airport after him bring his memory to the forefront. I’m happy.”

Corne has a suggestion for an airport named after an Afrikaner : “Paul Kruger was a man who had nothing to do with apartheid. He’s a very respected person. I’m convinced we can find win-win solutions. Forget about the Afrikaners.”

Thebe: “Kruger would not be ok. He was one of the leaders who consolidated the Africa nationalist ideology.”

Dumisani in Zimbabwe: “If you don’t know where your coming from you don’t know where you’re going to.”

Tapan is in Calcutta: “Name changes can be for several reasons. If it’s Colonial humiliation then it’s justified.”