Regarding your editorial (SA Jewish Report, 19 March 2021), in which you support Gabi Farber and others in protesting against inadequate funding for tertiary education, I agree with you about the importance of education and your sympathy for those who have difficulty financing their aspirations. Furthermore, I commend Farber for all the effort she has put in to explore multiple avenues to assist these students.
The truth as you so clearly state is that South Africa finds itself in a very difficult financial reality for multiple unfortunate reasons. But, confronting this reality requires creative and innovative ideas rather than avoidance with protests, which almost always result in significant vandalism – though I’m certain that was never Farber’s intention. In addition, whenever the government has been intimidated into providing additional funding for students as a result of violent protest, it has almost always been to the disadvantage of other South Africans in greater need.
I don’t deny that there are times when protest is the only option available, but this isn’t such a time. In her op-ed, Farber insists that all alternatives were explored before resorting to protests. However, if thousands of our brightest young people are unable to find creative ways out of their present difficulty, it’s unlikely South Africa will ever extricate itself from its present quagmire.
