[HEADLINE]Making a mockery of education

Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” In addition, education does not discriminate. Anyone can be educated as long as he or she has the will and drive to get an education.

Interestingly, in South Africa, educated individuals are poor. On the other hand, those who are politically connected are filthy rich because of tenders and fronting.

As a result, many unemployed graduates feel that education is useless. Does that contradict Mandela’s statement?

It does not end there. The politically connected also wield power in many government departments. They occupy top positions without the necessary skills and competencies. Therefore, they hire and fire. A topic for another day.

Nowadays, there is an obsession with people wanting to be called doctor so and so without having PhD. This is fast becoming a disease in our beautiful country. Do these liars know what it takes to obtain a PhD?

Interestingly, this crime is [STORY] mostly committed by people who are taken seriously by the community and nation. These are mostly intelligent and respectable people who could do a PhD without a struggle. This reminds me of ANC stalwart Pallo Jordan.

Last week, Business Day exposed the fact that economist Thabi Leoka, pictured, does not have a PhD. Leoka has threatened to take the newspaper to court but is yet to do so. Why? Because Business Day is telling the truth.

All along Leoka has been claiming to be having a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics, which has denied [tShTaOt RsYh] e obtained the qualification with them. What an embarrassment!

Instead of admitting that she lied about the qualification, Leoka insisted that she has it, further damaging her reputation. She even produced a questionable certificate, trying to prove that she has a PhD. Pity.

Leoka is a respected economist and analyst, deservedly so. She has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Therefore, she is well qualified and does not need to lie about having a PhD.

She has served on several company boards. I’m sure she has made a meaningful contribution to those companies.

But now she might be charged for falsifying her qualification. And she might lose all that she has worked hard for. Is it worth it?