DA claims Sadtu captured education system ‘ridiculous’

THE DA cannot get over its obsession with the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union and the ANC, hence Gavin Davis’s response to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech at a Sadtu gala dinner (Ramaphosa takes to task over Sadtu, 16 May 16). Ramaphosa commended the union for the work it has done for education in the country.

Ramaphosa was not using our platform to win our support but was invited to the dinner as ANC leader. The union has a strong bond with the ruling party. The formation of Sadtu was an ANC project that sought to create a unitary, non-racial and non-sexist union for teachers who were divided by the DA’s apartheid’s policies. It was formed with the blessings of Nelson Mandela on October 6, 1990. It is part of the Tripartite Alliance through Cosatu.

To claim that Ramaphosa’s cosying up to the union may win him support in the ANC leadership battle but hurts the prospects of poor children who suffer and the education system is captured by Sadtu is ridiculous.

If the DA cared about “prospects of poor children”, why have they been silent when the courts issued various orders directing steps be taken to realise the rights of children to education. These court orders range from the provision of teachers, the timeous payment of the salaries of teachers, infrastructure, chairs and desks, toilets, learning and teaching materials. It took a court order to prevent the DA Western Cape government from violating the rights of children to education when they wanted to shut down some of the schools in that province.

Sadtu refuses to take the blame for the failure of the education system when the majority of learners are not being taught in their mother tongue; when they do not have adequate infrastructure and teachers are subjected to teach overcrowded classrooms.

The DA’s predecessor, the National Party’s apartheid education system and the DA’s neo-liberal agenda that chose not to invest in the education of a black child has led to the disparities we face today.

After working tirelessly to tarnish its name but failing dismally with its latest attempt through the Ministerial Task Team report, the DA has every reason to be annoyed by Ramaphosa’s speech because it tells the truth it does not want to hear. The speech counteracted its propaganda campaign that seeks to demonise Sadtu.

Davis says the report illustrated how Sadtu controls six of the nine provincial education departments through its connection to the ANC, encouraging militancy over professionalism, by coercing teachers, principals, officials and others to accede to its demands, and by using cadre deployment, bribery and corruption to ensure its members are prioritised for jobs.

Sadtu is the majority union in eight provinces. Being in the majority does not lead to corruption, mediocrity or mishap. The Free State’s department can attest to that.

The report shows no evidence that our relationship with the ANC has encouraged militancy over professionalism and corruption. Davis’ assertion seeks to vilify the ANC and purport the image that it is corrupt.

The report cleared Sadtu of selling posts – 81 cases were investigated. Of these, its name was associated or mentioned in 22. Of all the cases, only 38 were found to be worthy of further investigation. In the 22 cases where the union was mentioned, seven were recommended for further action.

The union made it clear that whoever was implicated was not instructed by the union. It made it clear that we support the move for the law to take its course against the individuals who have been identified by the investigations.

Sadtu as a recognised union, has the right to strike and protest – these are our bargaining tools which are enshrined in the constitution. However, before we exercise this right, due processes are followed and if all fails, strikes are the last resort.

The DA’s propaganda that Sadtu engages in strikes at the drop of a hat is trite. Can Davis recall when last it embarked on a strike?

Sadtu will stand with the ANC as it is the only one we believe fully comprehends that education is a public good and not a commodity. It embraces the Freedom Charter that called for the doors of learning to be open to all.

The DA’s propaganda that Sadtu engages in strikes is trite

Sadtu media officer