Right to education does not validate barbarism

AS WE APPROACH the celebration of yet another National Heritage Day, it is incumbent to conduct a self-‘intro’spection to determine what, exactly is our heritage – particularly as South African youth.

Recent violent reactions by young people in schools and universities paints a galling picture of the calibre of persons we are. It seems the only means to attract the attention of officials is by burning buildings, stoning vehicles, toppling rubbish cans and vandalising the very places we call home (residence).

It is the misconception that the “right” to education enables us to behave barbarically, without moral conscience or caution.

People of the era before us shed blood to achieve the liberation that this generation too glibly takes for granted; however one must consider that at the helm of that era’s agenda were issues of fundamental education.

Hence this kind of dysfunctional outburst is a direct insult to those who fought feverishly to establish the privileges we enjoy today.

Violence has never featured on the agenda of those who seek emancipation from injustice. Only those who are complacent and demanding, those who feel deserving even without any investment, will seek to disrupt learning during such a significant time in the academic year.

There is no justification for such actions and individuals who participate in such activities are not deserving of place or funding in state institutions. Violence is not our heritage and society will be damned if we allow it to prevail.

JONATHAN ANNIPEN Minority Front

Youth Leader