MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth at the Forefront of YATT

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The media invite said; “The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr. Zanoxolo Wayile, will announce bold plans by the Municipality and the private sector to contribute to the goal of improving the quality of education in the Bay. Some in the private sector have heeded the call of Mayor Wayile that one company, among others, has pledged to contribute millions of rands to improve facilities in some schools.”

Then, today, we received a press release highlighting education initiatives that mostly happened in the PAST:

  1. Aids Orphan Programme – OK, to be fair here 120 Aids Orphans will receive School Uniforms to-morrow.
  2. School re-opening – also, to be fair, this will happen again this year when the Executive Mayor and the Mayoral Committee will visit schools in Motherwell, Zwide and the Northern areas to motivate learners. (No, they will not be telling them fail and become politicians or youth leaders!)
  3. The Grade 11&12 Career Guidance Exhibition will be hosted again this year.
  4. Schools will benefit from a Community Fire Safety education programme (after all, if the Education Department cannot ensure safe schools then we may as well teach kids how to survive a fire!).
  5. Traffic Safety Education programmes will take place (as in the past we can expect to see a marked drop in the number of fatalaties due to jay walking – NOT)
  6. Depending on the Budget (in other words pay your damn rates peasant!) we may see the Municipality offer bursaries to 46 or more (or less) students again this year.
  7. Depending on the Budget Municipal Grants in Aid may occur again this year (once again, pay your rates, peasant!)
  8. The Art Museum Education Programme will continue (maybe).
  9. The School Disaster Management Campaign is currently conducting two campaigns designed to empower the learner with the ability to make an impact on the safety of their home, school and community. (I kid you not – it says CURRENTLY in black and white in the press release – even though schools open on 19 January 2011 and today’s date is 17 January 2011)

Then in an attempt to leech goodness off of the CSI projects conducted by big business in Port Elizabeth we had two representatives from business in the form of PERCCI and Cadbury’s propping up the announcement of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities YATT.

I am told that this particular TT is the SIXTH to be formed.

This particular Task Team is headed by Councillor Charmaine Williams who has the requisite ‘balance’ from two ANC members and two DA members (eager chaps, I am sure, but soon to be worn down with frustration, rhetoric and rule by committee).

As I listened to the droning of desperation in the formation of Yet Another Task Team (YATT), this one to tackle the education crisis (sorry Roland, couldn’t think of any other word but, CRISIS), I couldn’t help but wonder just when the bubble of formulaic task team formation ineptitude would burst.

Kevin Hustler and Mayor Xanoxolo Wayile
PERCCI CEO, Kevin Hustler and NMBM Executive Mayor Xanoxolo Wayile

Mr Mayor – I know inside you and bubbling under the surface, is a man of decision, strength and fortitude. A man willing to stand up for what is right and what is wrong. I have great faith that you are a man that can lead us out of this morass of mediocrity that leadership by committee has dropped us into.

The time has come to address the ‘problems’ in our society. The time has come to stand up and say to our pupils:

  • You will come to school on time
  • You will respect your teachers and elders
  • You will do your homework
  • You will get more than 75% JUST to pass
  • You will ensure that YOUR school is neat and tidy
  • You will take part in sport
  • You will enjoy school
  • You will put your city and country first
  • You will become the best that you can
  • You will NOT expect a handout

And by the way, Mr Mayor; “You will NOT promise the world with a press release as above and NOT deliver!” and whilst I am about it young Roland Williams; “You will NOT forget the names of people and make them squirm with embarrassment”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.