People shout for books as Zuma speaks
President Jacob Zuma's signatory "Amandla!" was not met with the usual "Awethu" as he addressed a crowd in Burgersfort during the ANC's 105-year provincial celebrations over the weekend.
LIMPOPO – Instead, he was met by loud chants of “Dibuka”, which means “Books” in Sepedi.
Hundreds of parents showed their dismay at government’s apparent inability to deliver the full textbook and learner material complement to schools on time.
In response to the chants, Zuma posed for a few seconds whereafter a few MKVA members dressed in uniform seemingly attempted to intimidate the crowd.
The chants, however, grew louder and louder.
“We are fighting for the future of our children. We won’t be intimidated,” some parents told CV, adding that not all required stationery was delivered to schools in the Sekhukhune district as the 2017 academic year started two weeks ago.
Parents’ demand for books was also emphasised by a statement issued by Provincial DA Leader, Jacques Smalle who conducted an oversight visit to various schools across the province on 12 January.
He put the blame on Education MEC, Ishmael Kgetjepe and his department, saying they were “misleading the public about the timeous delivery of textbooks and other learning material”.
Smalle said he has evidence that the department was behind schedule in delivering textbooks.
“On 13 January, schools in the Phagameng township in Modimolle sent learners home as there were no textbooks. Learners were told to only return to school once all books were delivered. This is not conducive, especially for quintile one schools, where there is already a lack of learning culture”.
The DA concluded oversight visits to several schools, and found the same situation, he said.
“Our schools have the same challenges around textbooks every year and the department is inept in solving these challenges. It is now time for the MEC to provide a full and frank disclosure on the real state of affairs in his department. We will continue to conduct oversight visits to all the schools and will continue to hold the department accountable for jeopardising the future of our children,” said Smalle.
Back in Burgersfort, Zuma said the issue of outstanding books is receiving the necessary attention.
“As people, we made mistakes here and there. Mistakes happen when people are working. People who don’t do mistakes are those who are doing nothing. We are correcting them seriously and God is on the side of the ANC. To show that we are serious about the direction of our education, more than nine million learners attend no-fee schools and receive food,” he said. “Our health care system has improved and people live longer. What we find worrying, is the high HIV infection rate in young people aged between 15 and 25.”
He also criticised factions in the party.
“ANC members must stop the infighting as it frustrates people on ground level. The struggle for economic freedom has not yet been achieved. The time has come for black people to play a meaningful role in managing the economy of South Africa.
“We spend R500 billion a year to promote black business SMMEs. Economic freedom can’t be achieved if land owners are still displaced. It is time to return the land to its people.”
Zuma denied that the presidential succession race was underway, saying “before choosing new leadership, we will start by a discussion on programmes and policies of the ANC”.
