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Labour Wrap: Glimmer of light amid the gloom
Education, in and of itself, is no solution to South Africa’s economic and social problems, says Terry Bell in his latest Labour Wrap. And those who maintain otherwise are propagating a “ludicrous myth”.
However, he agrees that education is one of the keys to a better and more prosperous future. But not in isolation: it requires a stable political and economic environment. This we do not have and the current environment results in an extraordinary waste of human potential, even before children reach school age.
Quoting figures from the Pietermaritzburg-based community action group, Pacsa, he points out that children from poor backgrounds who rely on the Child Support Grant, are falling further behind. While an already inadequate grant was increased by R20 a month, the cost of a nutritionally balanced diet for a young child increased by more than R75.
Against this background there was also reportedly an increasing “brain drain”, with people with valuable skills ranging from medicine and agriculture to engineering leaving the country. There are now estimated to be more than 30 000 South African nurses working abroad as well as more than 800 commercial farmers applying their skills in countries such as Mozambique, Zambia and Congo Brazzaville.
This, says Bell, is a severely depressing situation. However, he maintains that it is not hopeless: South Africa remains relatively wealthy and a country where a banner of hope exists in an egalitarian Bill of Rights.
He also maintains that there are growing signs of rebellion against the alienation imposed by the “political and economic machine”. Some are nihilistic and disruptive; others provide glimmers of light in the gathering gloom.
What they have in common tends to be an egalitarian ethos, that people should take charge of the management of their own affairs. Bell argues that these positive elements should be encouraged, expanded and coordinated; that this can be summed up in the slogan: educate, organise, agitate (for real transformation).
