Issues at Stake: Militancy does not translate into mayhem
Creating a monster that will come back to bite us one day is the worst future to bequeath to our youth, writes University of Zululand academic Dr KHAYA GQIBITOLE
SOUTH AFRICA is a country of contradictions that need to be carefully navigated.
These ambiguities are also evident in our school system.
Everybody agrees that education is the cornerstone to address the many socio-economic woes that beset the country.
If that sector stumbles that would worsen the country’s future outlook. It is for this reason that the ministers of education always gloat when schools do well.
Ironically, when that happens, the ministers take all the credit at the expense of the foot soldiers – the principals and their staff.
In the recent past, for example, we have seen the powers that be falling over each other to claim #feesmustfall as their bona fide programme.
Similarly, they jumped onto the bandwagon when the #blackhairmovement made their voices heard.
Undoubtedly, these calls are emblematic of frustration brought about by the stalled promises of post-1994, hence some want to be seen to be politically correct by siding with the youth.
No one questions the legitimacy of such calls, especially in the face of the deepening poverty and rampant racism we experience.
After all, it was the youth who turned the tide of oppression in the country.
However, we must be cautious in our enthusiasm and support – proper leadership is necessary to properly deal with such demonstrations.
The anarchy that often accompanies the strikes leaves a lot to be desired, ad is made worse by the culture of impunity that is snowballing right under our noses.
The recent events in Vuwani and elsewhere should be condemned.
Copycats
Because of the ‘victories’ the youth score, they are emboldened. Unfortunately, such ‘victories’ beget more copycats throughout the country.
Militancy should not be confused with mayhem.
The reported developments in Zululand where students demands to wear caps at school, to reverse poor results and to remove principals who are deemed too strict, should be addressed honestly as they undermine the proper running of schools.
These untoward demands only manage to cloud the genuine calls that should have been addressed by now.
That the authorities wash their hands in such instances put an unnecessary burden on the principals.
We must remember, lapsed discipline is exceedingly difficult to rebuild.
The country and the powers that be should recognise that the ill-discipline that is attendant to the strikes is a symptom of an illness that runs deeper in our society, sometimes camouflaged as militancy.
Passing the buck to the principals is an indictment on the caliber of leadership that we have in our midst.
It is undeniable truth that we need to systematically and consciously work to rid the country of its ugly past, but creating a monster that will turn back and bite us one day is the worst future to bequeath to our youth.
