Parents, the success of our children and country does not come out of thin air.
A good country is not the result of work put in by the government, it is the result of work put in by mothers and fathers. Families, not centres of education, are the factories that produce the new workforce and citizens. It is, therefore, wrong and unforgivable, on a day like today, for parents to shout and complain about how government and higher education institutes are failing their children. Parents, the question is: how useful was the quality of your home to your children’s education?
If I may put it the same way you would put it to the government, how useful was the quality of your home to your child’s education, and now, career? Were you actively involved in your child’s education? Did you voice your happiness, suggestions, recommendations, complaints, and dissatisfactions, as you are doing today?
Please don’t get frustrated with me; allow me to pose further questions I have a good point that you may find useful. I’ll continue.
Before today, before the prelims, before the exams, before your child entered matric, when was the last time you had a conversation with your child about their education? Did you assist them with their homework, find them a tutor, make sure they were in a study group, and ensure that they attended extra classes given by the school and other learning centres?
Did you assist them in choosing their final subjects in grade 10? The same subjects that currently limit them to specific studies and careers today? The same subjects that will limit them to a specific type of life? Did you help them to decide, or did they do this on their own?
I may be a bit harsh, yes, but please allow me. I just want us to truly look at ourselves for a moment. I’ll continue.
Today, you are involved, spending long hours queuing at NSFAS and universities to help your child or children register for studies that you know little about. Are you considering the implications of the course that your child is finally registering for? How much will they be able to earn from it? Will they be able to support themselves? What about later? Will they be able to support a family on the salary they will receive? Will they be able to assist you as you get older and unable to earn an income for yourself?
Yes, I am talking about the new group of adults and citizens produced in the final year of study, 2023.
I am questioning their quality in comparison to the creation or production of a good, economically sound, and viable country that we want.
Again, I say that the making of a good country is not in the hands of government, it is in the hands of the mothers and fathers. My question to you parents is if you have helped to produce quality citizens. Citizens who can overcome the social and economic challenges that come with the world we live in today. Citizens who will lead successful lives – both economically and socially. If not, it is on you. Not the government.
Let me put it this way. Will it matter whether NSFAS grants them study tuition or Wits accepts them into their institution if the money and time they will spend learning will produce low-serving servants who are not able to put food on the table?
I blame you.
I blame you for neglecting your children’s education, and worse, creating the worst environments for your children to grow up in. For choosing fun times and alcohol over families. For choosing to give up and fall into despair when the only choice you should make is to fight and keep fighting for a better life for yourself and your children, even if your husband or wife drinks till the early hours of the morning and announces their arrival with a racket that hurts and embarrasses you and children, not only from your neighbours, but also from each other – family breakers, sanity breakers, spirit breakers, growth spoilers and country killers! Worse when both parents are helpless fun seekers and drinkers competing for these titles.
No matter the situation, you should be fighting to put warmth, love, and a good splash of paint on the walls of your home. You should be fighting to give undivided attention to your children despite the actions of your spouse, rising food prices, Zuma’s ill-fated antics, Ramaphosa’s failings and incompetencies, or Israel’s killing of innocent people in Palestine. These woes will always be around, they do not excuse you from your responsibilities.
South Africans, Africans, mothers, fathers, you must rise above all of these challenges. Take comfort in knowing that everyone is going through the same challenges. Take a lesson and inspiration from those who succeed.
Take interest in yourself and your children. Be involved in their education from grades one to twelve. Talk to them, guide them, and become their friend – it does more good than harm.
Help your children become the best they can be. Groom them to be informed, mentally sound, well-educated, and income-efficient citizens. This is how you will win the political warfare.
As things stand, today, I pray that your children will be accepted into universities and that the studies they select will lead them to the finest possible outcomes. With the experience and exposure provided by the institutes of learning, I pray that your children will be able to chart the best way forward for themselves. I pray that all learning institutes will be able to take in as many learners as possible. I pray that once they finish their studies, they will be able to find work and entrepreneurial opportunities.
I pray that children who are not able to continue their education do not see this as a hindrance. I pray they find the gusto to march on the route they have been handed and attain the same achievements as their peers four or five years from now. To you children, please remember, it is not over until you say it is over. Think of Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates.
I pray for this group of new citizens to do better than the last and do themselves, and us, proud. For the battle for better lives, better citizens, better families, a better country, and a better Africa is now theirs to fight for.
Wishing you and your loved ones a successful academic year!
Sithembile Masia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JAMBO AFRICA ONLINE
and
Chief Executive Officer
Brandhill Africa Media Holdings/Eight Red Apples
Mobile: +27 (76) 562-9393
Email: eightredapples@outlook.com and sithembile.masia@brandhillafrica.com
Website: www.brandhillafrica.com and www.eightredapples.co.za