Private sector can help solve crisis in higher education

A new year is a few weeks away. This means a new set of matriculants is on the way, and they will need university or college space. But when space is no longer an issue, will that mean an end to the education crisis?

Definitely not. The major problem with accessing higher education in South Africa is money. Few students can afford to pay tuition fees and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme cannot do it alone.

Would it be a bad idea if more private companies took it upon themselves to address the issues related to education and finance? After all, they are the ones needing skilled, trained personnel.

The private sector can influence the higher education system by defining the skills and competencies required, which would force institutions to focus more on practical rather than theoretical training.

This might fill the skills gap and make graduates more employable, solving the problems of educational funding and labour requirements.

Obviously, it would not be easy to pull this off, but who said building a nation was easy? It would take our combined efforts to set the country on the right path. Nokwanda Sikhakhane, Durban

Congratulations, our Miss Universe!

Some of us never dreamed of seeing one of our own being crowned Miss Universe.

We must appreciate what Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has done for our beautiful country. She is a shining example and shows that everything is possible.

It encourages every young girl. Congratulations! Thank you for bringing the crown home. It is now ours.

Musa Dlamini, Polokwane

No new car for Cronin

As those who know me will attest, I’m serially indifferent about cars, luxury or otherwise. I was, therefore, surprised to learn in “Rolling on R11.8m” (November

26) that a car worth over R1-million had supposedly been purchased for me by the Department of Public Works.

I am satisfied the story was based on information supplied by the Treasury — but am not sure where Treasury got this wrong information. No new official vehicles have been bought for my use recently.

In terms of the ministerial handbook, as a deputy minister I am quite rightly not entitled to an official vehicle of that value.

Long before this fiscally constrained period, I have ensured vehicles for my use are priced well below the admittedly still generous upper limit for deputy ministers. Jeremy Cronin, deputy minister of public works

Change stables, jockeys, tactics

What is needed in government is not only a new jockey but a change of stables, owner, trainer, veterinarian, grooms, stable companions, a new regimen of tactics and a totally different choice of distance and style of riding.

The quality, calibre and subject matter of Sunday Times journalists is what makes the newspaper the most well read, balanced and informative in South Africa. Thank you.

Theo Roelofsz, Marble Hall

Baptised in the river of corruption

Thanks to this week’s parliamentary debate on state capture, I now believe the ANC to have been baptised in the river of corruption.

State capture is about the masses of this country who are jobless, poor and homeless, as members of the liberation movement loot the state with the help of their families, the Guptas and their friends.

Parliamentary committees and commissions are doing good work, but these matters should be prosecuted in courts of law.

We cannot become a banana republic like Zimbabwe.

Lindi Zantsi, Worcester

List the looters and their loot

For months now we have read of corruption in the management of various organisations and the government.

When are we going to see justice? The Hawks are a joke, the NPA seems to be dysfunctional and too many ANC MPs are corrupt.

I challenge the Sunday Times to publish a complete list of all the alleged corrupt individuals and their alleged illegal actions on the front page, with the status to date. That should be interesting reading.

Offie, Benoni

NDZ’s nobility taken for granted

Out of honesty and loyalty to her former husband, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is blind to the fact that she has been led round the bend.

Honesty is a noble trait, but it is sad if you are taken for granted because of such nobility.

Former president Thabo Mbeki wanted Dlamini-Zuma to be his deputy after he fired Jacob Zuma, but this offer was quietly declined.

Now Dlamini-Zuma’s ex has muddied the water and, like a good woman, she is being used again to see whether she can clear the water.

She should just abandon the race for the sake of South Africa.

If she becomes president, her ex’s sins are going to be like a millstone around her neck.

Thebe Moroe, Kagisanong, Bloemfontein

Maths literacy a winning subject

What an excellent article by Joan Houston, “Mathematical literacy is no education stepchild — it’s a problem-solving life skill” (November 26).

It explains the importance of maths literacy for all pupils — and points out the necessity of achieving at least 80% in this subject in matric.

A Goldman, Bedford Park

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