Mother tongue

Indian languages are not part of the ‘real curriculum’. This is a contravention of the constitution of South Africa about learning the’ mother tongue’ or ‘mother tongue’ instruction. Our organization, Southern African Eastern Languages Association (SAELA) made several submissions and met with the director general about including the Eastern languages in the national curriculum. We were promised that this would be done but unfortunately there are still ‘third forces’ that operate in education. The national minister of education has closed discussion on this topic which is central to us. This tells me one thing that this minister has total disregard and disrespect for the Indian community.

All so called ‘Indian schools’ have been underfunded. These schools have been classified as ‘advantaged schools’. The IFP government classified our schools as decile 10 schools and the ANC government has classified our schools as quintile 5 schools. Many of the schools are struggling to keep their heads ‘above the water’. The level of prescription in education has spiraled out of control.

Our curriculum is two to three years below that of the Asian bloc countries. Our Indian children have been marginalized when it came to jobs. This is as a result of anti Indian stance of many employees and the ruling party. The ‘brain drain’ of this province will result in an economic downturn. Gauteng is becoming a second KZN for Indians.

The Democratic Alliance and the Minority Front have exploited the vulnerable people of Chatsworth and Phoenix. These parties made promises to the people without any conscience. The reality is that they don’t have a ‘dogs chance’ of winning the election. They won these two areas. What did they do for the people, nothing? Our people need to understand that ANC will be the government for the next 20 years. People who make promises will not be able to deliver on these promises.

If Helen Zille had a conscience she should put about R100 million rand in each of these areas to address social; educational; health and employment issues. The Minority Front should do the same thing.

There are challenges that are central to Indian people and we must not compromise or deviate from these challenges. Education of our children must be our priority. Talking to poor people about corruption is meaningless.

VISHNU NAIDOO

La Mercy