BURNING SCHOOLS UNJUSTIFIABLE

When people burn down their children’s schools, effectively torching the future of their own kids, then something has gone terribly wrong in that community.

The nation watched in disbelief as news reports were streaming in last week about the increasing number of schools that were being burnt in Vuwani, Limpopo. Weekend reports say 25 schools have so far been torched, with at least 19 of these razed to the ground. The cost in monetary terms is R400 million – money that must now be taken from other priorities for social development. The fact of the matter is that there is no money so the cost of replacing or refurbishing those schools will have to come at the cost of other government programmes and social services.

The cost in terms of the future of the 60 000 pupils directly affected is immeasurable. What type of a community is that which, in its anger, destroys the future of its children? Is it not unwittingly cooperating with the architects of apartheid who wanted to see the black child being condemned into being a hewer of wood and a drawer of water? History tells us that Hendrik Verwoerd, a former Minister of the discredited Bantu Education, was obsessed with limiting the access of the black child to the benefits of education, good jobs and economic advancement. He would be happy to know there are some in democratic South Africa who are still pursuing his cause, knowingly or unknowingly.

But one must be fair here. From media reports, it is clear that it is not the whole community of Vuwani that has been overcome by this self-destructive behaviour. There are parents and community members who have been keeping vigil at some of the schools in a bid to protect them from the arsonists. But the latter, in their determination and misdirected anger, have still found a way to sneak into premises and set the schools alight.

I have heard people trying to justify this kind of behaviour. Nothing in my book justifies it. All right thinking South Africans must strongly condemn these attacks. One is encouraged by the fact that 15 suspects have already been arrested in connection with the burning of the schools. They must be swiftly charged, prosecuted and handed stiff sentences.

The country already has tough laws pertaining to infrastructure related offences by making stricter provisions for the granting of bail and criminalizing damage to essential infrastructure which interferes with the provision of basic services to the public. My message to the authorities: use these laws to set an example. We need to send a strong message that the destruction of public infrastructure will not be tolerated, however angry you may be in your protest.

Also, it cannot be that when there has been a court decision that one party is not happy with, the aggrieved party can simply go on the rampage and ignore such a decision. The court ruling to uphold the Municipal Demarcation Board decision whereby about 50 villages around Vuwani would be moved from the Thulamela District Municipality to Malamulele must be respected. If it has to be reversed, let it be a higher court that does so. Going on the rampage simply because one disagrees with a court ruling sets a dangerous precedence and undermines the rule of law. Once the latter sets in, we are on the slippery slope where people will do as they please and disputes will be settled through brute force.

But even as I condemn this kind of behaviour, government must start asking itself some serious questions about its public participation processes and how meaningful they are. The rule of law must be underpinned by strong and meaningful public participation. If people feel the rule of law is being used to suppress their views, there will be a backlash. The “ticking of boxes” approach to public participation and the seeming poor communication behind government decisions is creating instability in our society.

The governed must have a sense that they have a say in matters that affect their lives. I cannot fathom how the authorities could have missed the strong sentiment in Vuwani against the incorporation into Malamulele if there was meaningful public participation and those who govern were keeping in touch with the governed.

Also, it is telling that the traditional leadership in the area, Venda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana and Chief Livhuwani Matsila, have come out in support of their people’s opposition to the move from Thulamela to Malamulele. Were they not consulted? These traditional leaders have spoken out against the violence and burning of schools. They, together with the Limpopo provincial government and the Ministers who have been sent to the area, must sit down with the community and find a constructive way forward.

I would also like to encourage the religious leaders in the area to get involved and mediate in the impasse.