JAMIE MITHI
Firstly, the Jewish community values education and secondly, several parents are now considering sending their kids to either Israeli universities or to American or UK institutions of higher learning.
I understand the source of these concerns; recently we all witnessed the anti-Semitic writing on a wall at Wits University, which bore testament to sentiments that are whispered in the corridors of learning in most South African universities.
Additionally, the recent #FeesMustFall protests have led to heightened racial and class tensions on most university campuses. The events of this year seem to portend to an era of an irregular university schedule fraught with unpredictable political events.
Watching from the outside these can be upsetting to a parent considering the best educational interests of his or her child. I understand the source of these sentiments and I submit that while valid, the best decision is still to pursue an education right here in South Africa.
Firstly, South Africa is home to several of the top universities in Africa; Wits and UCT are ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide – and not for nothing. These universities are making contributions to academia globally and offer many students the opportunity to be leading scholars in disciplines unique to South Africa.
The exposure to constitutional law, emergency medical procedure and political theory is higher in a younger democracy than in centuries-old states. Here one has the opportunity not only to study the greats, but to make a positive contribution to the body of learning. The shortages in the academy are most acute in Africa.
Additionally, it is easier to get admitted into an Ivy League university for post-graduate learning from Wits or UCT than it would be from an American institute. This has been my observation on the ground – strategically I would stay in Africa because there are more opportunities here.
Secondly there is the issue of affordability. While it is true that learning here is becoming increasingly prohibitive for the majority of the disenfranchised, it is still incredibly more affordable than the costs of education as an international student abroad, not to mention the hidden costs of travel and the numerous currency fluctuations.
Lastly and most importantly, I would like to submit that sending kids away to what we view as a more stable environment is not in their best interests as young adults or South Africans.
South African politics is very messy and can be intimidating from the outside. However, this is a challenge that young adults must learn to deal and interact with. There is a need for young Jewish leaders to embrace the noise and find their voice. To leave the country does not teach this tough skill but also removes from societal discourse a valuable voice.
Young Jewish leaders need to embrace the noise and articulate themselves or face a peril of not being heard for years to come. As South-Africans we have an obligation to build this nation together. Sometimes it is a dirty job and requires compromises that are uncomfortable. However, I submit that it’s worth the effort.
This county is one of the most beautiful and vibrant democracies on earth and we must all embrace our generational obligation to preserve that! It’s my submission that this is the most powerful reason to stay. South Africa belongs to all who live in it. That promise is as true today as at any other time in history.
- Jamie Mithi is a final year law student at Wits, and has served on the Wits SRC for two consecutive terms. He has been involved in Israel advocacy ever since 2013 when a piano recital was disrupted by BDS activists at Wits.
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