Author: Edwin Naidu
With the new school year almost upon us, discrimination remains the elephant in the classroom, which democracy cannot tackle until adults in South Africa move past their pre-1994 mindsets. Three decades after the end of apartheid, one wonders what hope there is for children when words and deeds mean nothing if the nation continues to spew out racists. South Africa boasts the best Constitution in the world. But togetherness is best reserved in beer advertisements, while the rest of the time, the nation is locked in its laager. Whether on the school ground, the public swimming pool, or the hearts…
After the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa is currently focused on implementing a Skills Strategy for Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan post-COVID-19, said Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) has pinned its hopes on the Communications and Digital Economy as critical enablers in growing an inclusive economy. “In our Skills Strategy to support the ERRP, we have identified several Digital Skills Gaps in the Digital Economy both short to long term, such as Cloud Architecture; Cybersecurity; Data Centre Operations; Enterprise Architecture Development; Network Analysis, Control and Security; Block Chain;…
Even before the eminent retired jurists and panel chosen to investigate alleged governance claims at the University of Cape Town can get down to work, cracks and divisions have emerged, raising concerns about their investigation and impartiality since a “clique” within the council chose them. Dr Tiri Chinyoka, representing the Black Academic Caucus, said that they rejected the panel constituted by the UCT Council. “We believe that Council itself needs to be investigated for presiding over governance dysfunction, and hence Council cannot be allowed to decide who will investigate them. “Council is now a factional and partisan structure that is…
By Edwin Naidu Born and raised in Chatsworth. Shaped around the world. Humble activist Kumi Naidoo is a global citizen. But his heart is deeply rooted in Chatsworth, south of Durban, his community, family, friends, and comrades from the township whose influences he has not forgotten. Chatsworth, his place of birth, gets pride of place in Naidoo’s poignant memoir Letters to my Mother the Making of a Troublemaker launched at several venues in Johannesburg last week. His mom took her life when he was 15. But in a twist, while working on the book in Berlin, Naidoo received news from…