LETTERS: Robbie asks questions nobody else will

I am sure you are aware of the ludicrous accusations and social media storm around talk show host John Robbie – and his subsequent resignation from Radio 702.
I have known John Robbie for 36 years. I met Johnnie when I was principal of the Marist Brothers College in Johannesburg before I got fired and as a result became an activist in education against apartheid. Like John Robbie, I came from Ireland to South Africa in 1980 on a sporting tour (I came to wrestle the legendary Jan Wilkins. He came as a scrum half on the ill-fated British Lions tour). We both fell in love with this beautiful, mixed-up country and decided to stay.
To accuse a man like John Robbie of racism simply for doing the job he is paid to do and ask the questions most South Africans are unwilling or too scared to ask, truly astounds me. It actually beggars belief that he can be castigated like this. As long as I have known him, John Robbie has been a man of the highest morals and integrity and he is excruciatingly honest in everything he does and says. He loves this beautiful country with a passion. He believes in it and he loves and repects all the people in it regardless of their colour, race or creed. Like me he is a citizen of this country now and he is an ambassador for South Africa everywhere he goes.
DR GERRY MURPHY
Simbithi
(Letter shortened – Editor.)