News
Things fall apart: Time for the centre to hold
ANT KATZ
COMMENT
SA’s biggest problems do not stem from decolonisation, transformation, racism, sexism or genderism – or even university “arrogance”.
The key problem in the existential challenge confronting our universities and the country as a whole, is holding the centre. It is maintaining the norms, processes and institutions which make possible the realisation of the dream of the Struggle veterans that one day South Africa, under a fully democratic government, will be capable of delivering the social and economic goals of the majority of our population.
It is the simple question, says the retired and well-read professor: “Who rules?”
The mob, the latest warlord or the democratic state, under the rule of law as implemented by its appointed officials and its institutions?
RIGHT: Mike Berger
Most South Africans who have managed to remain relatively uncontaminated by the flood of fashionable ideologies understand that. Yes, within their ranks there are some stupid or repellent racists.
Yes, he says, there are degree of arrogance and complacency among many whites.
But the majority, possibly the vast majority, are open to the new demands and challenges entailed by a full, nonracial democracy which was the foundation on which the new South Africa was founded – said Berger in a lead story on Politicsweb today.
Read his inciteful piece right here on JR Online, too:
MIKE BERGER: OF UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER THINGS
nat cheiman
Oct 5, 2016 at 11:56 am
‘Mcebo Dlamini, who was expelled from Wits, and who is a chronicled racist and Jew hater, is leading the protests, despite being at any university.
There is destruction and baring of female anatomies at these protests.
There cannot be free education unless the ANC, stop looting the coffers. It is safe to assume that many students at one time or another voted for the ANC. SA now has the government it voted for.
Additionally, many students are not university material. If one listens to Dlamini attempt to articulate the student grievances, it is plain to see that his ramblings are fatuous, illogical and hare- brained. What is is more, is that this nincompoop was in his third year at law school. So much for the value of his matric.
Most people with degrees and professions had to pay . Or at least their parents paid for tertiary education.
The entitlement that proliferates today, is unreasonable and unaffordable. Moreover, most students, because of the poor standard of education ( pass mark 30%) should not be at varsity.
The lack of a proper education is responsible for students ( many) failing to grasp the logic and reason relating to payment of fees.’