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EDITORIAL The term "voets toets" originated from the early Dutch farm settlers in the "Cape of Good Hope", and today is a recognized legal term in contracts within South Africa. After some extensive but mostly unrewarding "Internet research" by myself to try tie down the origin of the term's use, the best I could establish is that in days past it referred to the purchase of second-hand farming equipment, namely a wood ox/horse driven cart/wagon. Essentially, the term translates as "foot tested" and arose whereby the prospective "buyer" would physically investigate the item for sale and literally "kick it" to test the sturdiness of the frame. If satisfied, the transaction went ahead, and there was no liability on part of the seller in the event the goods proved faulty. Needless to say, there were no doubt a lot of unhappy buyers who wished that they had gone with the goods that came with a warranty.
The point behind this otherwise "obscure trivia" is that it struck me as being appropriate in summing up the sense of uncertainty which has been expressed by many within the insurance industry toward...