Indecision from an instinctive hunch that theres more you need to means its time to learn everything you can about the pros and cons of each option. You can continue on this track, however, only as long as youre unearthing genuinely new information. – Martha Beck
Last Sunday evening, CR once again positioned himself in front of a bank of TV cameras for another of his spasmodic, knee jerk diatribes. There is no doubt all he is designated to do at these moments in time is to read the script prepared for him by a small cabal of so called Minsters of whatever in his Command Council (is this not straight out of a Communist handbook?). Most South Africans know precisely who these people are. Dont lose sight of the fact that a gazillion meetings have been held as these indecisive leaders seek consensus and I would imagine they probably forget the issue they are trying to agree on at some point along the way. On the occasion of this lecture to the nation, CR announced that all Public Schools would close with immediate effect for a period of four weeks. The question that has to be
posed is; to what extent were the views of epidemiologists, scientists, medical experts and the like, advising this Command Council, considered in this decision? Cutting to the chase alongside all this obfuscation, there is one key factor which underpinned this decision and that is the power of SADTU, the Cosatu affiliated Teachers Union. As with the 100 percent loading of taxis decision demanded by the taxi bosses, this Command Council simply caved in to the demands of this teachers Union to close schools. A critical ANC ally at the polls. The private sector is involved in a relentless struggle to survive with many employees making every effort to get back to work. Massive sacrifices with job losses, salary cuts and yet the Public Sector chooses across many Departments and Municipalities to simply shut down. No salary cuts or the like; on the contrary many public service employees are currently getting salary and wage increases. Is this immunity from
Back to the school matter. A few weeks ago, the annual wildebeest migration was described to indicate how nature deals with matters of life and death. Bringing a school context to the migration story in Kenyas Masai Mara region;
it is likely that the massive confusions (herds) of wildebeest include many youngsters. Like their parents, they need to cross that crocodile infested river to find the grassy plains being watered by rainfall. Adding a twist to the story, the crocs have figured out that latching on to the young, smaller wildebeest is a waste of time. They are quicker and likely to escape and not much to chew on. They target the older, larger and slower ones for obvious reasons. Those young wildebeest also know that their growth, development and ability to survive will be significantly enhanced across that river alongside their fellow youngsters. But, sadly, some deranged ranger/politician group had already put up a fence to prevent the herd from crossing the river and doing what was essential to ensure their ultimate survival.
The decision to close public schools is not without major consequence. Some perspective always clarifies these contentious decisions. An eminent paediatrician undertook major research and summarised the background and impact very succinctly with a Shakespearian quotation: To school or not to school?. Some facts about and children; based on studies across the world, children are far less likely to be infected and less
The Zondo Commission grinds on. Eighteen months in the making and a R700 million cost to date....not one arrest or charge laid!
than 5 percent of all global infections have impacted children 18 years and younger. This number is less than 4 percent for children under 14 years of age. In South Africa this is significant as 28.8 percent of the population is currently younger than 14.
