There is a certain grim humour in observing Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s increasingly desperate campaign for the presidency of the ANC. In her latest address to ANC cadres in Sasolburg last week, even her host, the equally desperate outgoing Free State premier, Ace Magashule, could find few positive things to say about the former African Union Commission chairwoman. A candidate’s rhetoric, however, should be taken seriously, because it helps us to identify the emotional buttons her political handlers have decided to push. Dlamini-Zuma’s key surprise was her launch of an attack on "model C schools". According to the ANC heavyweight, "it is not surprising that kids will think the ANC is corrupt ... because this is what they are fed at school". Schools, of course, are central to the government’s long-term success. Knowledge-based economies need knowledgeable workers.In reality, most black children attend struggling monoracial schools in rural areas and townships, nine out of 10 of which la...

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