A leader of the iconic 1976 Soweto students’ uprising which contributed to the demise of apartheid still continues the struggle of that time as he fights for quality education for the youth.
Barney Mokgatle, now of portly manner, was, together with Tsietsi Mashinini and Selby Semela, the face of the students’ struggle which, along with others, galvanised the global community to befriend that moment.
Mokgatle said he continues the struggle as a crusade for free and equal opportunity in access to quality education, particularly for poor children. “Like other children, they are our potential future presidents, engineers and doctors whose stations in life shouldn’t be defined by their circumstances,” Mokgatle said in a wide-ranging interview with Alex News about the Barney Mokgatle Foundation, which started in 2015.
Born in Alexandra, Mokgatle was like most students then – caught up in student politics and a struggle against apartheid whose final demise derived from the 1994 democratic elections. Luckily, he survived the bullets which moored many of his compatriots during the protest which kicked off at the now-iconic Morris Issacson Secondary School, Soweto where he attended while living in the area with an aunt.
Mokhatle said the spirit and bloodshed by his compatriots shouldn’t be in vain. “Education should still be a mission and pursuit of society given the deeply rooted and continuing poverty which still haunts many poor children.
“We ought to continue the struggle to its finality albeit in a different era through a social compact of all stakeholders in partnership with government.”
He explained that the foundation relies on donations to support needy schools including in Alexandra. “Government can not alone carry the enormity of this struggle.”
He traverses the breadth of the country to determine the support needed. “Many children and teachers still operate under abominable conditions and all of us should strive to improve poor schools in order to guarantee the children access to quality education regardless of circumstances.
“Like others, these children have the intellect to imbibe and later, apply quality education to their lives and for the country’s benefit.”
Mokgatle urged for education not to be politicised but to remain a social issue driving economic development of the nation which poor children should also have an opportunity to contribute to. “More so during the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is premised on science and information technology.”
He said particularly the rural and some township schools should not lag behind in facilities that are relative to current trends in teaching and learning. He asked for resources and donations of teaching aids, learning material and also improvements to facilities like laboratories.
Mokgatle added that the foundation also supports the use of recreational and sporting facilities by children not academically inclined. “The world and country require beyond scientists.
“Besides the others who should also use them for their general physical wellness, those with sporting talent should be assisted to exploit their natural gifts as professions to help them exit poverty and also be the country’s ambassadors.
He regards the foundation as a vehicle for companies and individuals keen to ensure access to quality of education for the African child in his or her own setting. “Conditions should be improved where they are so that they can feel an obligation to plough back later.”
He urged donors to also contribute to the development of teachers. “They require motivation and encouragement to be innovative.
“In the process, the companies benefit from tax rebates for their good corporate social citizenship.”
For Mokgatle, achieving the mission is a must which will also appease the spirit and blood laid down by his 1976 compatriots.
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