Academics worth every cent
THE comparison of salaries of SA university rectors with politicians is illogical.
Rectors are academics, meaning they are the brains behind the running of the institutions, managing complex numbers of the next generation of brains in the country and abroad.
They write research papers that influence academic thinking and progress for the academic world as a whole.
Higher education spokesman Khaya Nkwanyana said: Some of them [salaries] are quite obscene and unjustified given that these are public resources. You can t have a vice-chancellor earning way above even the president of the country.”
Why not, and what about the SABC COO with his lack of qualifications; and what did the president study?
Rectors are professors who studied to a doctoral level and are applying their education in their field. It is an academic requirement for them to have such qualification and experience, something that should be required for politicians to run the country. Academics are not celebrities or football players; why attack their salaries as if the money is earned through fame?
We started by undermining education and achievement by putting people in positions without adequate experience and appropriate education. Cadre deployment is proof of that.
We weakened pre-university education by implementing a policy in which a pupil cannot fail a phase twice. Then we authorised 30% as a pass mark.
Now we are onto university professionals. Is it the ANC government s objective to produce an uneducated nation?
If we cap the rector s salaries, they will leave for other sectors or overseas institutions.
We need to abandon this socialist mindset, reward excellence, recognise experience and encourage hard work. Academics should be paid properly to bring about progress in SA.
Personally, I need academics more than I need politicians. In fact, my world would be better without politicians.
Mandla Radebe, by e-mail