6 Needs for a Better Education System in South Africa
Thomas Friedman’s book ‘That Used to Be Us – What Went Wrong with America – and How it Can Come Back’ is a mine of useful information regarding topics from corporate hubris to national education. Of particular interest are his thoughts on the American education system and how he feels there are 6 points which need to be addressed in order for the education system to function effectively in the 21st century.
The Sad Reality of South African Education
Jonathan Jansen’s article ‘Matric razmatazz conceals sad reality‘ was published on Saturday, a few days after the Department of Education announced the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate Results. Jansen’s writing is to the point and ultimately asks us not to listen to the Department of Educations political hype but rather to look at the reality of what our education system is actually delivering.’ The truth is indeed a sad reality which will take much more work from private sector involvement and guidance to steer back in even the vaguest of right directions…
The Sad Reality of South African Education
Jonathan Jansen’s article ‘Matric razmatazz conceals sad reality‘ was published on Saturday, a few days after the Department of Education announced the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate Results. Jansen’s writing is to the point and ultimately asks us not to listen to the Department of Educations political hype but rather to look at the reality of what our education system is actually delivering.’ The truth is indeed a sad reality which will take much more work from private sector involvement and guidance to steer back in even the vaguest of right directions…
10% of the Population as Community Volunteers
One of the most interesting goals of China’s new Five Year Plan is to have 10% of its population as community volunteers. When you recognise that 10% of the Chinese population stands at approximately 135 million people, you being to gain a realistic understanding of what a staggering thought process this is! It is a hugely positive, if not ambitious, target to try and mobilise such a vast quantity of their citizens to give to the community and play their role in building China as a nation. Not only is it a sign of the time that their is such a significant emphasis being placed on community involvement and volunteering, but it also symbolizes the a certain ‘Ubuntu” that this seemingly unemotional and clinical nation has lying beneath their surface.
Is China raping Africa?
Over the last decade, China has rapidly increased its economic ties with Africa through enormous investment in infrastructure development, textiles, mining and oil. According to the Chinese government, two way trade between Africa and China has surpassed over US $114 Billion. With such vast quantities of money at play, it is not hard to imagine how easily seduced governments, businesses and individuals are by the finances China brings into play.
The question that needs to be asked however, is if China is raping Africa? The short answer, paradoxically, is both Yes and No.
A New Deal for Economic Freedom
Following on from Clem Sunter’s article posted at the end of last week about redirecting the passionate rhetoric of Julius Malema I want to publish Sunter’s second article entitled ‘New Deal or No Deal’. The jist of the article is that South Africa needs a new deal to launch itself ‘onto the growth path of becoming a winning nation; or no deal plunging the nation into civil war’. Much like the function of Codesa facilitating a new political democracy for South Africa in the early 1990’s, this new deal needs to do the same for economic democracy in this country.
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