It’s that time of year when protests and strike actions are rife. Workers, students and the public want their voices heard but the biggest question is, why damage property in the process? In the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) protests, buildings were torched on the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
Is this necessary? Destroying the very institution that is meant to broaden minds and prepare young people for tomorrow?
I also heard a radio news report that students who were not participating in the protest were intimidated into doing so. It is understandable, there is anger over payment of outstanding fees before registration but how is an educational institution meant to function effectively and efficiently with debt of close to R2-billion.
Now, to add to the institution’s woes, property has been destroyed. Who is responsible for rebuilding or repairs – the students, the university or the government? What has the destruction achieved?
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Some students have been arrested – this does not bode well for their future – especially if they are saddled with a criminal record. Such an issue has a ripple effect on everyone associated with the institution – staff, students and parents. It’s not only about the cost of the damage but the cost of time and money lost. One may say, it’s the students’ constitutional right to voice their frustrations, but it needs to be done responsibly.
A lot is going on right now – most of it negative – there is load shedding to contend with, the national airline carrier is downsizing its routes at it is riddled with debt, the president is under pressure to right the wrongs of his predecessor and the country will be looking closely at his State of the Nation address this Thursday (February 13).
Furthermore, depending on his address, credit rating companies will be waiting on the side-lines to reassess South Africa’s creditworthiness.
So, let’s keep some things within our control, such as our education system. Let’s think of the future – students also need to take off their blinkers and realise that problems are not solved with mayhem and destruction.
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