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GEORGE NUUS - "It takes 10 years to gain 10 years experience." It may not sound like rocket science, but seen in the context of the dysfunctional South African education system, profound words.
Speaking at the opening of the 64th national congress of the ACVV , the oldest social service organisation in South Africa, Dr Theuns Eloff said the mass exodus of experienced teachers who accepted settlements and left the education sector after 1994, has proved disastrous.
"No training can make up for experience. A transfer of skills did not take place. The same happened in all government-run entities and structures."
Speaking from their experience on the ground, the social workers and volunteers at the congress wholeheartedly agreed with Eloff, relating horror stories of matriculants unable to read and write. "These kids are simply promoted to the next grade year after year and leave school completely unprepared and unequipped for the job market without any possibility to start something themselves. This leads to a myriad of social evils."
Dr Elsje Buchner addresses the audience in a packed Outeniqua High School hall.
One of the social workers said she often feels like giving up. "We are trying to stem a tide of societal ills with a feather duster when we need a magic wand. But if we don't try and help, who will?"
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The ACVV was founded 115 years ago on 1 September 1904, shortly after the Anglo Boer War, to alleviate the plight of poor whites, but has evolved into a modern organisation made up of volunteers and social workers in step with the needs of all communities and races in modern day South Africa. And the need is great and growing by the day.
Across cultural barriers
Eloff warned that their uphill battle is going to get harder. "We are reeling from the effects of corruption; economic growth is at its slowest in 70 years; the governing party is divided; our president is trying, but blocked at every turn; race polarisation is especially evident on social media; our public service is poor; and appointment on merit and of minorities are out of the question."
He said money for welfare organisations has dried up and the ACVV will increasingly have to make use of volunteers to get the job done - although volunteers will also be few and far between as people cannot afford to work for free as they struggle to make ends meet.
About 300 ACVV volunteers and workers attended the opening night. The culinary students of Outeniqua High School ensured that guests enjoyed the spread.
He advised the ACVV to take hands with other welfare institutions and religious organisations - even if these are not Christian-based like the ACVV.
"If you share the same values and common goals, it will work. To bring about real change we all have to work at building grass-root relationships with all people and communities."
Eloff paints three future scenarios for SA:
1. President Cyril Ramaphosa (CR) is successful in consolidating his power base. (65%)
The economy grows and CR is reelected in 2022 serving until 2027.
2. CR is actively undermined by the Luthuli House Zupta faction. (10%)
During a pre-election conference in 2022 CR is forced to resign and his successor is someone like Ace Magashule, Malusi Gigaba or Supra Mahumapelo. The ANC and the country collapse at the speed of light. The opposition coalition with the help of ANC dissidents take over in 2024.
3. CR is tolerated by the Zuptas and corruption continues unabated (25%)
This is the scariest scenario. CR is replaced at the 2022 conference and SA goes down the drain slowly but surely - steadily moving away from a constitutional democracy. The Zupta ANC remains in power until at least 2029, maybe giving rise to an opposition coalition in the same year.
But, despite all the gloom and doom, Eloff remains hopeful that his grandchildren - three little girls - will one day be enjoying a wonderful, prosperous South Africa barely remembering the nine lean years and a guy whose name began with a ZZZZZZZZ.....
'Ons bring jou die nuutste George, Tuinroete nuus'
