Watchdogs and the media needed more than ever

Forty-six years ago this week, the apartheid government banned The World newspaper and a slew of activists in a clampdown following the death of Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko a month before. On that “Black Wednesday”, as it came to be known, the threat posed to the establishment by the media and anti-apartheid political organisations became apparent to all.

Those involved in that watershed day may not have imagined that after apartheid was consigned to the dustbin of history, the role of watchdogs and the media would remain as vital as it was in those dark times. Even with a democratic government in place and a constitution to regulate the exercise of power and foster accountability, it remains vital to hold the government and public entities accountable for how they spend public money.

The debacle involving the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) shows why the media and NGOs are critical for ensuring that public money is spent to best effect. In the case of Nsfas, an investigation recommends that the contract with four companies be terminated. It also calls for Nsfas CEO Andile Nongogo to be dismissed.

Were it not for the investigative capacity and zeal of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), none of the malfeasance would have been uncovered. Outa’s painstaking investigation began when contracts issued by the Services Sector Education and Training Authority of which Nongogo was CEO were examined.

This is all good news, of a sort. Yet the vast array of official bodies tasked with ensuring oversight played no part in uncovering the malfeasance. Not parliament, not the Nsfas board, and certainly not higher education minister Blade Nzimande, who caused a ruckus in parliament questioning the portfolio committee’s right to inquire into the matter.

It is important that the media and civil society stand their ground in the never-ending battle over the use and misuse of public monies. No matter how the ruling party and its politicians might resist, our duty is to the constitution and the people of South Africa.

Now, as in October 1977, we are reminded almost daily that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.