Education and values in the face of adversity

I WAS a fly on the wall and I saw... The “discriminating few” students taking a few steps back, Giving values, ethics and morals the sack, Cultivating fear in the hearts of all and sundry; In discarding dignity to take the nation to “the next echelon of liberty”. I was a fly on the wall and I saw... Challenged tertiary leaders at a loss for words and rational solutions;

Radical student leaders dictating matters, whilst breeding strife;

Whilst most students were resigned to persevere ‘midst turbulent times,

Literally watching their plans for the study year take a nosedive. I was a fly on the wall and I saw... Potential school leavers view the status quo with uncertainty:

From the “frying pan” of the OBE into the fire of the “FMF”,

Or take the “opportunity cost” of joining the UIF queue:

With a bleak future on the horizon, they search for a glimmer of light to ensue... I was a fly on the wall and I saw... Two decades ago a proud nation take a forward stance,

Shepherding an era that neutralised every disunited bid,

Touching hearts and transforming minds at every fleeting chance;

Heralding Madiba’s legacy of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace... I was also a fly on the wall when Madiba said: “Education is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world.”

Distorting the view, a discriminating few seems to misconstrue, their stance:

“By using strife to change the world, ‘Free Education’ falls into your lap”. As the smoke clears, it doesn’t allay many fears, ’Cause the precedence that caused many tears, Is doomed to widen the generation gap.

RONALD W SPRINGFIELD Retreat