EFF criticises Mandela and Mbeki tenures

FORMER presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki failed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to fund higher education during their tenures.

These were the remarks made by EFF national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi when addressing EFF student command members at Wits University ahead of the SRC elections.

Ndlozi’s comments came after Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu, in her campaign to become the next ANC president, told University of Johannesburg (UJ) students last week that free education would be possible should she be elected.

Sisulu said such education would be funded through foreign direct investment, the state and the private sector.

She added that the funding model was recommended by the Justice Hefer Commission of inquiry into higher education and training.

But Ndlozi disagrees. According to him, South Africa under the “much loved and revered Nelson Mandela as well as the educated Thabo Mbeki” failed to attract foreign direct investment.

Ndlozi encouraged EFF members to prioritise the attainment of postgraduate qualifications, saying there were no job opportunities for people with junior degrees.

“You must write theses and dissertations.

“In so doing, you are creating knowledge in the country,” Ndlozi, a Wits PhD graduate told his supporters.

Thabo Mbeki Foundation head of communications Thami Ntenteni said: “Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has every right to express an opinion, but that does not necessarily make it correct.

“At the time Thabo Mbeki left office the country was at a higher growth level than it is now.”

He said during Mbeki’s era the budget was allocated in accordance to available needs.

Luzuko Koti, director of communication of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said as a matter of principle they did not comment on statements made at events they did not attend or have the context to refer to.