As a Boer and an Afrikaner, I am happy that Johan Nel got what he deserves. I say bring back the death penalty and whichever party does that will get my vote.

As a Boer and an Afrikaner, I am happy that Johan Nel got what he deserves. I say bring back the death penalty and whichever party does that will get my vote.

Nobody is born racist. Circumstances make some people hate another race. It is interesting to read that Nel was from a young age influenced by farm attacks.

It is a cycle. Farm attacks made the boy shoot innocent people. This in turn made many black people angry, some of whom might hold a grudge and act on that again. You see the cycle?

Many whites feel black people are oblivious to the black on white crime and this influences their perceptions. We can deny this all we want, but the problem will only get worse. To fight senseless crimes, we must speak out against all crimes. The ANC Youth League and SACP welcomed his sentence, but they cherry pick what to speak out against and this causes frustration and even more hate.

The government has to start dealing with all crime, no matter who is involved. Until that happens, more farm attacks and more Skierliks will happen. Normal, hardworking, law-abiding citizens of all races must speak out and make their voices heard. Keeping quiet makes you as guilty as the racists themselves.

I will do my part and speak out against racism. I know many black South Africans will do the same.

Henri Le Riche, Staines, UK