I refer to Mr Saviour Balzan’s contribution in the issue of MaltaToday dated 30 September entitled: “Did you say a Cabbage butterfly”, in particular to his humane advice to Ms Marisa Micallef to “transfer herself to Bormla and mix with the Bormlizi milieu: starting off by exchanging her Chanel for some cheap eau de toilette and her elegant watch for some thick gold bracelets, and instead of chocolate croissants, eating pastizzi tal-pizelli”.

Unfortunately, this hideous advice continues to foment the artificial social stigma towards people coming from the south of Malta, especially those hailing from the Cottonera area. The comments made in the article towards il-Bormlizi most probably reflect the inhibitions of a person not completely satisfied with himself six years after the Iva campaign. Nonetheless, this inhibition does not give the author the right to dish out despicable comments towards his fellow countrymen, and for this, il-Bormlizi demand a public apology.

May I remind Mr Balzan that Bormla and the Cottonera area has provided Malta with illustrious politicians in the likes of His Excellency President Emeritus Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, the former Prime Minister of Malta Dom Mintoff and the current Minister for Justice and Home Affairs the Hon. Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici. There have also been former Archbishop Sir Michael Gonzi, the uncle of the current Prime Minister, and two renowned Court Judges in the Gulia brothers. These are just a few, and I am sure that there are many others who, in their own way, have made a valid contribution to the economic and social development of the Maltese Islands. If the author considers these people as “Bormlizi milieu”, then there is something logically incorrect in his mindset.

In addition, may I remind Mr Balzan that for many years Bormla housed the Malta Drydocks, where many Maltese workers spent a lifetime providing the necessities of life for their families including, hopefully, educating their children.

I take this opportunity to urge all Bormlizi, and the local council, to publicly express their disappointment and disgust at the comments made by Mr Balzan in respect of the people of Bormla.

Ethelbert Schembri