Latest news with #HendrickMakaneta
TimesLIVE
18-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Higher learning should take centre stage at national dialogue: education activist
For thousands of students across South Africa, the dream of a university education often ends in heartbreak and education activist Hendrick Makaneta believes the country cannot look away. Makaneta described the national dialogue as 'the most significant initiative since the April 1994 breakthrough' and urged all South Africans, regardless of age, race or political affiliation, to support it. 'This is more than just a conversation. It is a national mission,' said Makaneta. 'If embraced sincerely, the national dialogue can lay a powerful foundation for healing, unity and nation building.' Makaneta told TimesLIVE that higher education must take centre stage in the process. 'Higher education must be part of the national dialogue, especially because of the challenges that it is facing,' he said. 'Among others are the challenges of funding, where some of the students find themselves excluded or unable to pursue their postgraduate studies due to historical debt.' Makaneta's remarks come at a time when more young South Africans than ever are struggling to access university, secure funding and complete their studies. Even those who do manage to enrol often face an uphill journey. 'We saw in one study where it was indicated that out of 12 students who enter higher education, only five graduate. Some never make it to the finish line,' he said. Another challenge is students caught in the so-called 'missing middle', those who do not qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and cannot afford to pay fees. 'They are unable to get government funding and can't access loans either,' said Makaneta. 'They, too, are facing the biggest challenge, which is funding.' Despite policy progress since democracy, Makaneta said 'institutional autonomy continues to be a problem', with many university councils failing to represent marginalised voices. 'In most cases, these institutions tend to further the objectives of the neoliberal forces. They continue to be ivory towers, which are not always accessible when it comes to the transformative project,' he said. He believes students are not being heard enough, and professors often dismiss students' concerns. 'Even if students come up with demands, professors don't always listen because they believe they know better ... even those students who sit in university councils, their inputs are not always taken into consideration.' Makaneta said the government must urgently expand access by building new institutions. 'It can't be correct that only two institutions have been built since 1994. We need additional institutions which can admit as many students as possible,' Makaneta said. He also advocated for curriculum reform, citing the high youth unemployment rate and the skills mismatch in the economy. 'The jobs that exist today are slowly but surely becoming obsolete. We're moving into 5IR, and the government needs to make the curriculum more relevant to help grow the economy,' he said. He added that free higher education should be on the agenda during the national dialogue. 'All that is required is the political will. South Africa has a lot of resources which can be tapped into.' Makaneta encouraged young people not to give up on the country or the process. 'The national dialogue should inspire hope. It brings together civil society, political leaders and ordinary people. For the first time in a long time, we can meet as a society and talk about the challenges that matter most.'
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
R500 million contract for North West matric papers sparks controversy
Bank notes of R200 denomination The North West department of education says the annual contract for the printing and transportation of examination papers will cost R100 million annually and the contract was awarded to joint venture Lebone Altron DSV Consortium. Image: File Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has amplified concerns about the R500 million contract for the printing and delivering of National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination papers in the North West province. Weekend newspaper reports stated that the five-year contract with joint venture Lebone Altron DSV Consortium will cost the North West province R128 million annually. On the other hand, the North West department of education has disputed the City Press reports, insisting that the five-year contract will cost the provincial authorities around R100 million annually. Speaking to IOL, Makaneta who is the director of the Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa said the contract was 'too costly'. 'Spending R500 million on a contract for printing and delivering examination papers is very costly. While it is important to keep papers safe, this huge expenditure raises serious concerns about priorities and transparency. We still have shortages of textbooks and poor infrastructure,' said Makaneta. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The North West department of education should disclose details of the contract with specific reference to a breakdown of costs, and public engagement on alternatives. Outsourcing must not come at the cost of accountability.' Outspoken education activist Hendrick Makaneta spoke to IOL Image: Supplied Makaneta said the South African population deserves to know how learners will benefit from this whole process. In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, acting North West deputy director general for exams and curriculum, David Moroeng said the contract extends beyond the printing of examination papers. 'The contract that we have entered into is not only a contract for printing but it is a contract of what we call end-to-end, where we prepare question papers, we print and they are picked up and packaged. Once they are prepared (the question papers), they are going to be stored and then to the different storage points in the province under a secured environment,' he said. 'The previous service provider, that was two to three years ago, it was GPW (Government Printing Works) and we left GPW because we had a one-year SLA (service level agreement) that we had with them. We moved away and started looking for a new service provider.' Moroeng said for the past two years, the North West provincial department was being hosted by their colleagues - the Gauteng department of education. 'We moved now, starting with our own tender process and we advertised, after advertising we got Lebone Litho consortium and also Altron DSV taking the bid,' he said. Moroeng said the GPW contract was ranging around R27 million to 29 million but it was limited to printing. 'When we left GPW two years ago, we started paying around R80 million to R90 million in terms of printing. This year, when we started the new contract, we have added some new features that were not there, that is secured printing, secured transportation of the question papers within the province,' he said. As part of the added services, Moroeng said the new service provider is mandated to transport answer books to the different marking venues across the province.
eNCA
25-05-2025
- General
- eNCA
Why diversity in education matters
JOHANNESBURG - As we mark Africa Day, we not only celebrate our rich heritage but also reflect on how diversity shapes us. Today, we're looking at education. Our classrooms are microcosms of society, filled with different cultures, languages, and lived experiences. But diversity alone isn't enough; What matters is how we foster inclusion, equality, and belonging. Joining us to discuss diversity in education and why it matters is Hendrick Makaneta from the Foundation for Education and Social Justice.
The Herald
14-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Education activist Makaneta urges universities to rein in graduation stage 'chaos'
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has sparked debate after urging South African universities to reconsider how cultural celebrations are conducted during graduation ceremonies, warning some practices are veering into 'chaos'. Makaneta's comments follow instances of graduates bringing traditional weapons such as knobkerries and assegais on stage, often incorporating them into elaborate celebratory dances. While acknowledging the deep cultural roots of such expressions, Makaneta said the trend could pose a risk to the safety and dignity of the event. 'As we celebrate the achievements of graduates it is essential to reflect on the conduct of waving knobkerries and assegais at graduation ceremonies,' he said. 'While we understand the importance of cultural expression and celebration, we cannot ignore the concerns raised by the presence of these objects on stage.' Graduation ceremonies across the country have become increasingly lively, with cheering families, singing and traditional dancing now a familiar feature. Makaneta warned that certain actions could disrupt proceedings and make others feel unsafe. 'Waving knobkerries and assegais can be perceived as intimidating or threatening and it is our responsibility to ensure everyone feels safe and respected.' He emphasised that these traditional items could lead to 'unnecessary disruptions and delays', affecting the ceremony's flow and the experience of others in attendance. 'We encourage graduates to rather use their traditional weapons in the comfort of their homes where they will have plenty of time instead of delaying others on a graduation stage.' Though Makaneta stressed cultural pride remains an integral part of South African identity, he drew a line between celebration and disorder. 'We love African celebration but some of the things we see on the graduation stage are no longer celebration but chaos,' he said. 'Graduation should be a sacred moment. Graduates should be encouraged to respect the stage and respect others waiting for their names to be called.' Makaneta appealed to universities to develop clear guidelines that uphold cultural expression while ensuring the safety and dignity of graduation ceremonies. 'Traditional dancers must also respect the families who have travelled long distances to witness the graduation ceremony of their child. Let us not turn beautiful moments into disasters.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
Education activist Makaneta urges universities to rein in graduation stage 'chaos'
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has sparked debate after urging South African universities to reconsider how cultural celebrations are conducted during graduation ceremonies, warning some practices are veering into 'chaos'. Makaneta's comments follow instances of graduates bringing traditional weapons such as knobkerries and assegais on stage, often incorporating them into elaborate celebratory dances. While acknowledging the deep cultural roots of such expressions, Makaneta said the trend could pose a risk to the safety and dignity of the event. 'As we celebrate the achievements of graduates it is essential to reflect on the conduct of waving knobkerries and assegais at graduation ceremonies,' he said. 'While we understand the importance of cultural expression and celebration, we cannot ignore the concerns raised by the presence of these objects on stage.' Graduation ceremonies across the country have become increasingly lively, with cheering families, singing and traditional dancing now a familiar feature. Makaneta warned that certain actions could disrupt proceedings and make others feel unsafe. 'Waving knobkerries and assegais can be perceived as intimidating or threatening and it is our responsibility to ensure everyone feels safe and respected.' He emphasised that these traditional items could lead to 'unnecessary disruptions and delays', affecting the ceremony's flow and the experience of others in attendance. 'We encourage graduates to rather use their traditional weapons in the comfort of their homes where they will have plenty of time instead of delaying others on a graduation stage.' Though Makaneta stressed cultural pride remains an integral part of South African identity, he drew a line between celebration and disorder. 'We love African celebration but some of the things we see on the graduation stage are no longer celebration but chaos,' he said. 'Graduation should be a sacred moment. Graduates should be encouraged to respect the stage and respect others waiting for their names to be called.' Makaneta appealed to universities to develop clear guidelines that uphold cultural expression while ensuring the safety and dignity of graduation ceremonies. 'Traditional dancers must also respect the families who have travelled long distances to witness the graduation ceremony of their child. Let us not turn beautiful moments into disasters.'
