Transparency vital at Unizulu
As with any exposé, the worst thing to do would be to sweep things underneath the carpet. Transparency, accountability and strong leadership are wanted now.
THIS week two controversial issues relating to the University of Zululand made headlines, casting serious doubt on graduates’ qualifications and questioning the institution’s fiscal policy.
Given its historical record of controversies, the northern KZN learning institution could not afford a double scandal of this magnitude.
But as with any exposé, the worst thing to do would be to sweep things underneath the carpet. Transparency, accountability and strong leadership are wanted now.
Any attempted cover-up or evasive tactics on the part of authorities will do little to help the situation.
In the case of the alarming fake degree scam, it is important for the few dubious cases to be made known so that the rest of the students can be exonerated.
The university should perhaps make public the list of all bona fide graduates, to allay widespread fear among students and potential employers.
At the same time, if the university can rightfully justify its almost R30-million splurge on luxury homes and see no wrongdoing relating to the Zini River Estate deal, now is the time to speak up.
If this is standard practice across the country among other tertiary institutions to retain and attract the best executives, it should be revealed and transparency should come into play.
Did security problems and threats perhaps push authorities to look at a safe, gated estate for its top brass?
Dubbed for many years a ‘bush university’, the embattled tertiary institution worked tirelessly to re-establish its name and reputation.
With the launch of the Richards Bay city campus, a contemporary and marketable image was attained to take the once beleaguered university forward.
Being a State-owned university, accountability goes without saying. To whom much is given, much is demanded in return.
Spare a thought for the millions of South African taxpayers who are funding exorbitant and lavish lifestyles of top executives.
We should have instead seen improved infrastructure, new lecture halls, equipment and better student housing. Incentives are not deemed wrong altogether if done in moderation.
The ball is now in the university’s court.
How the institution plays it will determine how the latest scandal affects the future sustainability and funding of the university, as well as student and human resource relations.
