AN EDUCATED GUESS
JONATHAN JANSEN: Parents owe their children a realistic assessment of SA
However, do not badmouth everything that happens in South Africa. Yes, we are stuck with horrible political leaders, but they come and go
I have now completed about a dozen book conversations in mostly packed venues from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and double that number of radio and newspaper interviews in the past two weeks. While my two new books brought people into school halls and book shops, it was very clear in the question and answer periods that fellow citizens were deeply burdened about our country. People looked tired and dismayed, scared and even depressed about what is going on in Mandela’s country. So many came to unburden themselves and to ask urgent questions about now and the future. Should I send my child to a South African university? The final chapter in my book As by Fire paints a dismal picture about the future; the subtitle does not help: The End of The South African University.Many in attendance read that chapter. It says that the forces that destroyed African universities are pulsing through our campuses as well. Underfunding by the government, chronic instability and state interference. We are...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.