Figure it out, we need better education

Twenty-eight years into democracy, the government does not seem to have a strategy to bail the country out of economic and social quagmire. The infighting within the governing party weakens the capacity of the state to function. Covid-19, coupled with the July unrest, dealt a major blow to the economy. This has been compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

SA is ranked one of the most unequal countries in the world and the inequality is linked to crime and substance abuse. The education system is poor and unequal and this forces black parents to send their children to private and former model C schools. The World Economic Forum’s 2015 report ranked SA last in maths and science education. Many of the youth lack vocational training, and as a result jobs that require artisanal skills are done by foreigners.

The state pays lip service to the development of small, medium and micro enterprises, with no budget allocation. The failure of the state to control the inflow of African migrants has resulted in the Operation Dudula movement taking the law into its own hands. Operation Dudula is labelled as anti-African and xenophobic but the fear and insecurity shown by Dudula is not new. Historically, apartheid architect Dr Hendrik Verwoerd complained about the inflow of the Jews taking economic opportunities from poor Afrikaners.

I propose the following:

Hire capable maths and science teachers and incentivise them accordingly. Reduce the role of the unions in the recruitment process and in the day-to-day running of schools’ activities. Open technical colleges to give vocational training to the youth. Offer financial assistance and mentorship to emerging businesses. Control the inflow and outflow of migrants. Protect the local manufacturing sector against foreign competition. — Lindane Ngcobo, Bellair

Leaders turn blind eye to rot, filth

I am ashamed, angry, disgusted, frustrated and moved to tears when I see how Nelson Mandela Bay metro has been destroyed by municipal officials. Yes, the officials.

From Gqeberha to Kariega to Despatch, Walmer to Schoenmakerskop, Central to Hunters Retreat, motorists must dodge potholes so huge that even a 10-ton truck would damage its tyres.

Rubbish and litter is discarded on pavements and roads, in parks and public areas across Nelson Mandela Bay. Even the town hall precinct in Govan Mbeki Road is a quagmire of filth.

I have written previously about the full range of farm animals on our roads and pavements and in parks. The number of homeless people sleeping at the entrances to businesses, office parks, public areas and in bus shelters is increasing daily.

Walking along the boardwalk next to the beach from Hobie to the beacon, I am constantly confronted by the nauseating smells emanating from the effluent flowing into the sea; not to mention the litter compounded by empty liquor bottles.

All who live in Nelson Mandela Bay, be it one month or since birth, notice this decay. Does mayor Eugene Johnson, deputy mayor Buyelwa Mafaya, speaker Gary van Niekerk, chief whip Wandisile Jikela, the three alleged city managers and all those responsible for “running” the metro not see the things I see?

Do these people live in broken homes with little food, water and electricity, with rats (not the metro officials type) infesting the area? Do their children attend schools with pit toilets, sitting under trees or in broken classrooms with 100 learners in a class? Definitely not. The so-called leaders of our metro, council and management clearly have no conscience and serve themselves. Voters get what they voted for.

— Gordon Upton, Nelson Mandela Bay Closure of factory an act of avarice Consider the makeup of Tiger Brands, an organisation that has bought myriad companies with strong brands, allowing it to present a formidable balance sheet to attract investors. Conglomerates such as Tiger Brands are managed by accountants, who know and understand the god of profit, ensuring the balance sheet looks seductive and attractive.

The Koo canning factory in Ashton no longer serves their purposes, so it is expedient to either shut it or sell it, and in the process cull 4,500 jobs. At this sad time in our history, the Tiger Brands board, which clearly has no moral compass, has decided to pull the plug. It is a shameful act of greed and avarice as they rejig their financial statements to continue looking attractive to investors, and also ensure that the Tiger Brands hierarchy retains its internal empires and fat-cat salaries.

They will sleep well at night, while a lowly can packer in Ashton will be shedding tears, not knowing where the next meal will come from. Write to PO Box 1742, Saxonwold 2132;

SMS 33662; e-mail: tellus@sundaytimes.co.za.

All mail should be accompanied by a street address and daytime telephone number.

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