Grahamstown in a poor state
THE decay that has befallen Grahamstown is regrettable – if only it was led by capable governors.
It is regrettable because the so-called City of Saints has tremendous untapped potential to create economic opportunities, environmental wellbeing, social equity and reliable prosperity for all its citizens.
It is regrettable because the people of Grahamstown have allowed their city to be governed by people who don’t govern in the best interest of local people.
It is regrettable because South Africa has no shortage of capable people to take Grahamstown to where it needs to go to sustain its future.
It is regrettable because the mayor and her council don’t seem to appreciate the fact that the city they lead is at an urgent period in time where the small towns like Grahamstown must find other sources of revenue beyond the national government’s division of revenue.
If I were the mayor and council of Grahamstown, I would consult widely with the business community of Grahamstown, and the leadership of the academic, health sector and correctional services communities to explore opportunities to work together with them towards a common goal.
I believe that it is possible for these communities to use their buy-in to support the development and growth of the local agri-food sector.
Think pork, mutton and fresh produce.
I would think long and hard about what would make Grahamstown sustainable now and into the future.
I would seriously think about adding an annual National Education Indaba to the current National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
I would think about the learning needs of the workers of the future in the pending future of automation. The robots are coming thick and fast. Last, I would think about convincing Rhodes University to invest in the establishment of a Rhodes University High School to groom future Rhodes University students from among the local children.
I think it is possible to establish a local high school for all the children of Grahamstown to learn technology, science, arts, mathematics and engineering as part of their high school curriculum because this is what the future demands.
Given the fact that Rhodes University has an education department, I would like to ask: how hard is it to establish a teacher accreditation programme for the local township schools?