Yet another SG bites the dust!

The South African Democratic Teacher's Union (SADTU) has once again succeeded in driving out yet another Superintendent General (SG) in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE), Advocate Moddima Mannya. This time they have driven out a candidate that they backed as their preferred choice for the post. The ECDoE has seen a high turn-over of SGs in the past with them not lasting even two years due to tensions between them and SADTU. In the past ten years the Department has had 10 SGs and taxpayers have borne the cost of these terminations.

Now each time these SGs have been removed from their posts, the reasons given are the strained relations with the Union regardless of having been noted to have brought about positive change in the embattled department. The ECDoE seems to be run by SADTU and if SADTU is not happy with you as an administrator then you are out.

Now the question I have is, how is any administrator expected to succeed in an environment where as a manager, your employees determine whether you get to keep your job regardless of how well you perform. The ECDoE has a plethora of problems, the majority of which are exasperated by SADTU's unwillingness to compromise or budge for the sake of improved education in the province. There is no way that any administrator can be expected to do a good job if s/he is expected to be SADTU's lackey. Unfortunately for any progress to be made in the province a lot of unpleasant decisions need to be made that might make SADTU and its members unhappy.

SADTU is currently holding education and progress in this province hostage. They are willing to go to exorbitant lengths to protect the multitude of under-performing educators at the expense of the children of the Eastern Cape. The lack of tolerance and inflated ego in the union was clearly exhibited when the chairperson of the Hewu-branch and SADTU official, Honjiswa Mrwebi tried to run over DA Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko with her car while she was matching with students who have been denied scholar transport. I guess the message being sent out is loud and clear, SADTU runs education in the province and unless you dance to their tune then your days as an administrator are numbered.

I really wish Mannya's replacement all the luck in the world because s/he's really going to need it!

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