In the last few weeks there has been a furore over the choice of languages in schools in South Africa
The debate can be summed up as this:
1. All 11 official languages should be given equal status in schools
2. The languages of the colonial era should not have promotion above African languages
3. Learners should be free to study in their home language as this allows them to perform better
I have an opinion on the three arguments above:
1. You may or may not be aware that there is a teaching crisis in South Africa. The truth is that we simply do not have enough teachers. Schools are under-resourced and the number of teachers qualifying simply cannot keep up with the demand, never mind go to reducing the deficit. There simply are not enough teachers to teach Math, Science, biology etc, never mind languages. If the government wants students to learn in their home language then they should be producing teachers for such a job.
2. I would like to clear up a misconception: Afrikaans is not a colonial language, it is an African language. It was created in South Africa, developed in South Africa, and is spoken nowhere else than in South Africa (well, in some parts of Namibia, but the last time I checked Namibia was in Africa). I am not sure how else one would define an African language other than the description I have given above. The government keeps saying that children should learn an African language but they say Afrikaans is not acceptable. The politicians in this country need to remove themselves from the emotion surrounding the Afrikaans language and apply the same principles to each African language.
3. I have a friend who teaches at a school for the deaf. I asked her for an opinion of whether or not it would be more beneficial for her students to just learn in sign language or whether they should learn in English. Her answer was that the students would grasp the concepts quicker if they were taught only in sign language but that if they were taught that way they would not be able to function in any other sector of society other than the deaf community. If we are to educate students who can function in an increasingly globalised world they will need to communicate in a universal language, and whether we like it or not, that language is English.
What are you views?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
What should we do about the Gauteng tolling system?
If you live in Gauteng you will be aware of the fact that the government has spent the last few years upgrading the highways. While I praise the government for upgrading the national roads around Gauteng I abhor the way they are going about paying for it. As of February 2012 all highway users will need to have an electronic tag and will be charged 40c per kilometre travelled on the highways.
A public road should be just that, public; a service that is available to all and not a chance for business to make millions off the public.
Private companies stand to gain millions from the average South African worker as they benefit from the tolls. I would not have a problem with this if we had a reduction in our taxes to cover for our payments in the tolls.
As it is the average taxpayer receives very little in return for the amount paid. Many South Africans pay for private health care, private security and private schooling. If we cannot drive on our roads for free then what is the government actually providing?
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has issued a call for all South African's to boycott the tolling system. This would mean that we do not buy the e-tag, we drive through the toll gantry, refuse to pay the toll, refuse to pay the fine, refuse to appear in court and challenge the government to arrest us all. I think COSATU has made a good call here and I would love to do it, but I fear that I do not have the courage. I know that we need to stand up to our government and demand accountability but up till now I have done nothing myself.
Is now the time to stand up and have my voice heard by engaging in civil disobedience? What will you do?
A public road should be just that, public; a service that is available to all and not a chance for business to make millions off the public.
Private companies stand to gain millions from the average South African worker as they benefit from the tolls. I would not have a problem with this if we had a reduction in our taxes to cover for our payments in the tolls.
As it is the average taxpayer receives very little in return for the amount paid. Many South Africans pay for private health care, private security and private schooling. If we cannot drive on our roads for free then what is the government actually providing?
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has issued a call for all South African's to boycott the tolling system. This would mean that we do not buy the e-tag, we drive through the toll gantry, refuse to pay the toll, refuse to pay the fine, refuse to appear in court and challenge the government to arrest us all. I think COSATU has made a good call here and I would love to do it, but I fear that I do not have the courage. I know that we need to stand up to our government and demand accountability but up till now I have done nothing myself.
Is now the time to stand up and have my voice heard by engaging in civil disobedience? What will you do?
Monday, November 21, 2011
We will not be silenced!
Our government is doing everything in its power to silence the media and restrict media freedom. Tomorrow, Tuesday 22 November 2011 is your opportunity to stand up to this in your own way.
The National Press Club has called for a day of mourning called 'Black Tuesday'. They are calling on all South Africans to wear black to protest against the implementation of the Secrecy Bill, which Parliament will be voting on tomorrow. By choosing this name the Press club is invoking some very powerful history.
On the 19th October 1977 the National Party government banned several newspapers and magazines as well as 19 Black Consciousness activists, the day was dubbed 'Black Wednesday'. That particular 'black' day was seen as the death of press freedom in South Africa.
I challenge you, stand up for what is right, lead South Africa, and do your bit by educating yourself, and by wearing black tomorrow. Let us all fight for press freedom and say 'We will not be silenced'
You can learn more from the following sites:
http://www.r2k.org.za/
http://www.leadsa.co.za/
http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-11-21-black-tuesday-protest-declared-against-secrecy-bill
The National Press Club has called for a day of mourning called 'Black Tuesday'. They are calling on all South Africans to wear black to protest against the implementation of the Secrecy Bill, which Parliament will be voting on tomorrow. By choosing this name the Press club is invoking some very powerful history.
On the 19th October 1977 the National Party government banned several newspapers and magazines as well as 19 Black Consciousness activists, the day was dubbed 'Black Wednesday'. That particular 'black' day was seen as the death of press freedom in South Africa.
I challenge you, stand up for what is right, lead South Africa, and do your bit by educating yourself, and by wearing black tomorrow. Let us all fight for press freedom and say 'We will not be silenced'
You can learn more from the following sites:
http://www.r2k.org.za/
http://www.leadsa.co.za/
http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-11-21-black-tuesday-protest-declared-against-secrecy-bill
Friday, November 4, 2011
ANC members are 'more equal' than others
Of all the atrocities committed during the dark days of apartheid one of the worst had to be the search for chemical weapons to subdue the black population; this team was headed up by Dr Wouter Basson.
During the Truth and Reconciliation commission this Dr Basson did not apply for amnesty and as a result he was charged for his offences during apartheid. Through an independent court he was found innocent and allowed to continue his medical practise.
Over the last few years the government has done everything in its power to try and prevent Dr Basson from practising medicine in South Africa. They feel that his past immoral actions should exclude him from caring for sick people in our country.
While I agree that Dr Basson did some wicked things, I disagree with the morals behind this government intervention:
Tony Yengeni, a National Executive Committee Member (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) was recently found guilty of fraud relating to the procurement of weapons for South Africa (also known as the Arms Deal). He was given a ludicrously light sentence, allowed home on weekends, broke his bail conditions, was let out early, and welcomed back into the upper echelons of the government with open arms. This same Toni Yengeni has now been appointed to the Defence Review Committee of Parliament. When challenged on the farce of this appointment the ANC bent over backwards to justify this appointment. They say that he has served his time and he should be free to serve his country.
How can it be that a Doctor wanting to practise in a private capacity should be hindered from doing so when a convicted criminal can serve the public in the very field he was convicted of a crime?
According to Chapter 2, section 9 of our constitution: "Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law." However, it seems that if you are an ANC member you are more equal than others.
During the Truth and Reconciliation commission this Dr Basson did not apply for amnesty and as a result he was charged for his offences during apartheid. Through an independent court he was found innocent and allowed to continue his medical practise.
Over the last few years the government has done everything in its power to try and prevent Dr Basson from practising medicine in South Africa. They feel that his past immoral actions should exclude him from caring for sick people in our country.
While I agree that Dr Basson did some wicked things, I disagree with the morals behind this government intervention:
Tony Yengeni, a National Executive Committee Member (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) was recently found guilty of fraud relating to the procurement of weapons for South Africa (also known as the Arms Deal). He was given a ludicrously light sentence, allowed home on weekends, broke his bail conditions, was let out early, and welcomed back into the upper echelons of the government with open arms. This same Toni Yengeni has now been appointed to the Defence Review Committee of Parliament. When challenged on the farce of this appointment the ANC bent over backwards to justify this appointment. They say that he has served his time and he should be free to serve his country.
How can it be that a Doctor wanting to practise in a private capacity should be hindered from doing so when a convicted criminal can serve the public in the very field he was convicted of a crime?
According to Chapter 2, section 9 of our constitution: "Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law." However, it seems that if you are an ANC member you are more equal than others.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Julius Malema: the most astute politician in the land
Politics is a dirty business. As much as we would like to think that the people presented to us are the best leaders for the country this is most often not the case.
In modern politics there are so many people to please and quite simply, it is impossible to please everyone. As a result, the person who has the ability to 'play the field', so to speak, is the one who wins. These people have mastered the art of manipulation and deceit. They know when to cause a storm, and when to disappear in the storm. They know how to change allegiance at the right time and when to appear entirely devoted to a life-long cause.
Since his short time in the political arena Julius Malema has proved that he is, by far, the best politician that we have. He has swung like a pendulum, turned his cloak, lied, cheated (and some say stolen) for years, but is at the forefront of the political landscape.
His current trial is a case in point: he is on trial for bringing the ANC into disrepute and for breaking the rules of the party. However, through some masterful political strokes, he has taken himself well out the lime light. First he delayed the trial by storing up violence outside the hearing, then he delayed by appealing to the constitution of the ANC, then he questioned the legality of the charges, and finally he missed his hearing due to illness. All this has served to quieten the storm around him and remove the negative emotion from his trial. It appears as if we will only hear the verdict during November.
He may not be a great example of the kind of leader that we want but the above information serves to confirm that Julius Malema is the most astute politician in the land.
In modern politics there are so many people to please and quite simply, it is impossible to please everyone. As a result, the person who has the ability to 'play the field', so to speak, is the one who wins. These people have mastered the art of manipulation and deceit. They know when to cause a storm, and when to disappear in the storm. They know how to change allegiance at the right time and when to appear entirely devoted to a life-long cause.
Since his short time in the political arena Julius Malema has proved that he is, by far, the best politician that we have. He has swung like a pendulum, turned his cloak, lied, cheated (and some say stolen) for years, but is at the forefront of the political landscape.
His current trial is a case in point: he is on trial for bringing the ANC into disrepute and for breaking the rules of the party. However, through some masterful political strokes, he has taken himself well out the lime light. First he delayed the trial by storing up violence outside the hearing, then he delayed by appealing to the constitution of the ANC, then he questioned the legality of the charges, and finally he missed his hearing due to illness. All this has served to quieten the storm around him and remove the negative emotion from his trial. It appears as if we will only hear the verdict during November.
He may not be a great example of the kind of leader that we want but the above information serves to confirm that Julius Malema is the most astute politician in the land.
Monday, September 26, 2011
A (very) brief History of South Africa, by Lance de Ruig
Having just celebrated another Heritage day I thought it would be a nice idea to do a (very) brief summary of our history. It is a little bit tongue in cheek and by no means is it comprehensive. Please bear with the length, it is hard telling the history of a country in 300 words. Also, in my (very) brief history I have intentionally excluded post 1948 due to the fact that many South Africans have no idea that we actually have a Heritage pre-1948. We focus so much on the atrocities of the last 50 years that we neglect the formative years of this great country. So, here goes:
Very little is known of South Africa pre-colonialism as most African tribes had no written language and as such we mostly rely on archaeological evidence. What we do know is that between 3000 BC and 1000 BC peoples from Ethiopia and Somalia migrated to Southern Africa. Also, In 400 AD many Bantu speaking tribes from Central Africa made their way to our shores and began disposing many of the existing tribes (those would be the San, Khoi, Zulu and Xhosa).
In the late 1400s we know that the Portuguese, through Bartholomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, made their way around the tip of Africa and made stops along the Southern African coast. They butchered and bruised, but also fell in love with the country and the people (well, the topless women actually) and many settled and made new lives in Southern Africa.
While there were some ‘whites’ in Africa, the real trouble started in1652 when our friend (well, maybe not yours) Jan van Riebeeck founded a Dutch settlement called the Cape Colony. Thousands upon thousands of Europeans, mostly Dutch, made their way to our fine climes and started a new life at the tip of Africa.
As the Dutch poured in and built with their blood, sweat, guns and tears, an upstart French invader named Napoleon was ravaging their ‘home’ country. In order to protect the strategically placed Cape Colony from the dirty French, the British occupied the colony at the Cape. Needless to say, the British soon realised that sun was good for their sickly skins and so they flocked in their hordes to the sunny skies of Africa.
It would be amiss not to mention that while the pasty poms were invading, Shaka was building his empire. Between 1816 and 1826 the Zulu nation struck fear and loathing in the hearts of black and white hides alike. Dispossessing, murdering and conquering at will, it seems as if the only real match for Shaka was betrayal.
Meanwhile, back at the colony, the Dutch (or Boers as they would be called, meaning farmer) could not handle the rule of the Brits and so left the Cape en-masse to find some living space. Having fought disease, famine, drought and warring tribes the Boers found a place to call home and created the ZAR (modern day Transvaal) in 1856.
All was at peace (well, sort of) until that pesky yellow metal called Gold was discovered in Johannesburg in 1886 (turns out that 70% of the world's gold has come from this tiny Republic) and true to form, the Brits (yes, them again) wanted their piece of the pie.
In 1899 the crown invaded the independent Boer republics and a long and bitter war was fought with thousands of Boer and black women and children being starved to death in the world's first concentration camps (yes, it was the Brits, not the Germans). Eventually the broken and beaten Boers would sign peace in 1902.
What followed was a brilliant piece of nation-creation (well, if you were white) and in 1910 the Union of South Africa was created, joining the Boer Republics and the British Colonies, creating modern day South Africa (Yes, we were 100 years old last year and no one knew). The problem was deciding what to do with the black people in this new nation, the solution was the 1913 Land Act, forbidding black people from owning land outside of a predetermined (and tiny) chunk of land know as the 'Home Lands'.
The Brits had a merry time running their new creation until 1948, when the Afrikaans, through the National Party, won the election and did all sorts of horrendous things to hang on to power. And the rest, as they say in the classics, is history.
A (very) brief history of our country points to one amazing point: being African does not mean Zulu, or Xhosa, or even Afrikaans; what African means is Somalia, Ethiopia, Britain, Congo, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Sotho, and so many more. As we celebrate Heritage days in the years to come may we remember where we come from, and embrace where we want to go, together!
The rest, as they say, is history
Very little is known of South Africa pre-colonialism as most African tribes had no written language and as such we mostly rely on archaeological evidence. What we do know is that between 3000 BC and 1000 BC peoples from Ethiopia and Somalia migrated to Southern Africa. Also, In 400 AD many Bantu speaking tribes from Central Africa made their way to our shores and began disposing many of the existing tribes (those would be the San, Khoi, Zulu and Xhosa).
In the late 1400s we know that the Portuguese, through Bartholomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, made their way around the tip of Africa and made stops along the Southern African coast. They butchered and bruised, but also fell in love with the country and the people (well, the topless women actually) and many settled and made new lives in Southern Africa.
While there were some ‘whites’ in Africa, the real trouble started in1652 when our friend (well, maybe not yours) Jan van Riebeeck founded a Dutch settlement called the Cape Colony. Thousands upon thousands of Europeans, mostly Dutch, made their way to our fine climes and started a new life at the tip of Africa.
As the Dutch poured in and built with their blood, sweat, guns and tears, an upstart French invader named Napoleon was ravaging their ‘home’ country. In order to protect the strategically placed Cape Colony from the dirty French, the British occupied the colony at the Cape. Needless to say, the British soon realised that sun was good for their sickly skins and so they flocked in their hordes to the sunny skies of Africa.
It would be amiss not to mention that while the pasty poms were invading, Shaka was building his empire. Between 1816 and 1826 the Zulu nation struck fear and loathing in the hearts of black and white hides alike. Dispossessing, murdering and conquering at will, it seems as if the only real match for Shaka was betrayal.
Meanwhile, back at the colony, the Dutch (or Boers as they would be called, meaning farmer) could not handle the rule of the Brits and so left the Cape en-masse to find some living space. Having fought disease, famine, drought and warring tribes the Boers found a place to call home and created the ZAR (modern day Transvaal) in 1856.
All was at peace (well, sort of) until that pesky yellow metal called Gold was discovered in Johannesburg in 1886 (turns out that 70% of the world's gold has come from this tiny Republic) and true to form, the Brits (yes, them again) wanted their piece of the pie.
In 1899 the crown invaded the independent Boer republics and a long and bitter war was fought with thousands of Boer and black women and children being starved to death in the world's first concentration camps (yes, it was the Brits, not the Germans). Eventually the broken and beaten Boers would sign peace in 1902.
What followed was a brilliant piece of nation-creation (well, if you were white) and in 1910 the Union of South Africa was created, joining the Boer Republics and the British Colonies, creating modern day South Africa (Yes, we were 100 years old last year and no one knew). The problem was deciding what to do with the black people in this new nation, the solution was the 1913 Land Act, forbidding black people from owning land outside of a predetermined (and tiny) chunk of land know as the 'Home Lands'.
The Brits had a merry time running their new creation until 1948, when the Afrikaans, through the National Party, won the election and did all sorts of horrendous things to hang on to power. And the rest, as they say in the classics, is history.
A (very) brief history of our country points to one amazing point: being African does not mean Zulu, or Xhosa, or even Afrikaans; what African means is Somalia, Ethiopia, Britain, Congo, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Sotho, and so many more. As we celebrate Heritage days in the years to come may we remember where we come from, and embrace where we want to go, together!
The rest, as they say, is history
Friday, September 16, 2011
How to kill democracy in 3 easy steps
Step one: Trample the independence of Parliament
Last year a number of dodgy lease deals were signed by government. The Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, looked into these and found them to be corrupt and she urged President Zuma to take action. Her report gave President Zuma until Monday 12 September to announce what he would do with the two ministers concerned (Bheki Cele and Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinda). President Zuma has blatantly ignored the deadline and has shown contempt for the legal processes of our country. On Wednesday this week Members of Parliament tried to hold President Zuma to account for this lack of action and instead of rigorous debate, the speaker of Parliament ANC member Max Sisulu, protected the President and denied Parliament the opportunity to question the man who is supposed to be leading our country. This shocking show of party politics has no place in Parliament
Step two: Question the integrity of the Judicial system
A number of months ago Julius Malema sang a song at a rally called "awudubule ibhunu" (Shoot the Boer). Many individuals and organisations were concerned that this was hate speech and duly took Mr Malema to court. The ANC threw their weight behind Malema. This week the ANC lost and the song has rightly been called hate speech. Rather than accepting an independent legal process the ANC has come out and shamelessly challenged the courts. If we cannot respect rule of law we cannot call ourselves a democracy.
Step three: Crush the freedom of the media
For any democracy to thrive the media need to be free to challenge and question the party in power. This serves to strengthen and reinforce the freedom of speech and the culture of transparency. In the last year the ANC has introduced proposed legislation, which would greatly restrict media freedom. This legislation allows for the classification of any information the government deems fit, coupled with jail time for any journalist who should publish this classified information regardless of public interest. By crushing the media's freedom the ANC is crushing our democracy
Having read the above statements, you tell me if you feel that our government is committed to democracy or not.
Last year a number of dodgy lease deals were signed by government. The Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, looked into these and found them to be corrupt and she urged President Zuma to take action. Her report gave President Zuma until Monday 12 September to announce what he would do with the two ministers concerned (Bheki Cele and Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinda). President Zuma has blatantly ignored the deadline and has shown contempt for the legal processes of our country. On Wednesday this week Members of Parliament tried to hold President Zuma to account for this lack of action and instead of rigorous debate, the speaker of Parliament ANC member Max Sisulu, protected the President and denied Parliament the opportunity to question the man who is supposed to be leading our country. This shocking show of party politics has no place in Parliament
Step two: Question the integrity of the Judicial system
A number of months ago Julius Malema sang a song at a rally called "awudubule ibhunu" (Shoot the Boer). Many individuals and organisations were concerned that this was hate speech and duly took Mr Malema to court. The ANC threw their weight behind Malema. This week the ANC lost and the song has rightly been called hate speech. Rather than accepting an independent legal process the ANC has come out and shamelessly challenged the courts. If we cannot respect rule of law we cannot call ourselves a democracy.
Step three: Crush the freedom of the media
For any democracy to thrive the media need to be free to challenge and question the party in power. This serves to strengthen and reinforce the freedom of speech and the culture of transparency. In the last year the ANC has introduced proposed legislation, which would greatly restrict media freedom. This legislation allows for the classification of any information the government deems fit, coupled with jail time for any journalist who should publish this classified information regardless of public interest. By crushing the media's freedom the ANC is crushing our democracy
Having read the above statements, you tell me if you feel that our government is committed to democracy or not.
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