#CelebritiesAreNotTeachers : Department of Basic Education Under Fire

The controversial star studded line up of celebrity teachers, as pictured in this poster which set the online social media community astir,
Source: twitter.com/dbe_sa

Nokwanda Ncwane

The Department of Basic Education in South Africa faced heavy criticism for allegedly using celebrities to conduct online classes during the national lockdown. Qualified teachers and ordinary citizens took to social media to express their unhappiness over the decision.

Cynthia Mills, a Western Cape high school teacher said that the celebrities are busy teaching and they have no idea what they're doing. Mills teaches Grade 9-12 at the moment and has 3 years experience in teaching Grade 4-6.

"I have been in constant contact with my learners through 5 WhatsApp groups for all my classes. When schools reopen the onus will be on us to catch up and to undo what has been done if learners were taught incorrectly. If you aren't qualified with experience, rather step back and let the professionals handle it." Said Mills

Another teacher, Sphamandla Zulu said that education is not entertainment, there are Codes of Ethics."What was the use of registering with the South African Council for Educators if some celebrities can simply get gigs? We need qualified and registered teachers for our children. It's disrespect to our profession and unions." Said Zulu.

The Department of Basic Education Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga said that there's confusion between the STEM Lockdown Digital Classroom branding (which is conducted by qualified teachers) and the STEM Lockdown Reading Club by volunteer celebrities. These two launched at the same time and they look alike.

"None of these celebrities will be paid. They volunteered their time. It's more like friends getting together to do something constructive during the #COVID19 pandemic. Nothing more." Mhlanga added.

The Africa Teen Geeks also released a statement clarifying that MsZora by Africa Teen Geeks in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Sasol Foundation presented the FREE STEM Lockdown Digital School. A call out was made to all teachers countrywide, they received over 9000 applications and selected only 56 teachers and these are teachers with experience ranging from 5-20 years.

Duduzile Kubheka, one of the qualified teaches said to be conducting online classes, in the Lockdown digital migration wave.
Source: twitter.com/dbe_sa

"It's important to note that it's reading not teaching, to promote awareness of the campaign which is targeted at Grade R-3. This initiative is aimed at supporting the Department of Basic Education efforts to keep learning and teaching going even during the current lockdown, following the closure of schools to combat the spread of Coronavirus." The statement continued to read.

TV Personality Penny Lebyane, who is also part the Reading Club said she fails to understand the outrage. She added that she is not a celebrity and is not offended.

NDABENI-ABRAHAMS' CONTROVERSIAL PUNISHMENT

Nokwanda Ncwane

South Africans have come out guns blazing on social media streets after President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for 2 months, one month of which will be unpaid and ordered her to deliver a public apology to the nation.

This follows the allegations revealed on social media that the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies violated the lockdown regulations. Yesterday former ANC MP and deputy minister, Mduduzi Manana shared a snap, that has been deleted of his family and the Minister having lunch on Instagram.

President Cyril Ramaphosa summoned Ndabeni-Abrahams on Tuesday. The President reprimanded and directed the Minister to deliver a public apology to the nation.

"None of us, not at least a member of the National Executive should undermine our national effort to save lives in this very serious situation, no one is above the law.  The law should take its course."

South Africans took to social media to voice out their opinions on the matter.

@innocentmpofu said "Public apology is not enough, she must be arrested, beaten, do squats and roll on the ground like everyone else."

@JabulaniJavas said "We are waiting for Cele (Minister of Police) to take her to a police cell."

@BuntuMag said "Release everyone who has been arrested for breaking the lockdown regulations. We want public apologies from them too.

@CarlaKatjie said "Action was take. Good. But what is "special leave"? Because if it's getting to Netflix and chill for two months and still get paid, then I want special leave too #stellandabeni.

@sosospay said "#stellandabeni deserves a special cell not special leave. This government is inconsistent."

@Nkulu_sync said "Why are people acting like they don't know that ANC officials are above the law, they don't get arrested."

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams posted a video via social media, apologising to President Ramaphosa and South Africa at large for bridging the lockdown rules put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

BAKHALELWE AMASONGO KASIGONYELA ABASHADIKAZI ABABANJWE OQOTSHENI.

Nokwanda Ncwane

Bangaphezu kwamashumi amahlanu abantu abakhalelwe amasongo kasigonyela  endaweni yase Nseleni, ngaphandle kwase Richards Bay ngemuva kokugasela kwabakasidlodlo emshadweni.  Lokhu kungenxa yokuhluleka ukulandela imigomo yokumisa nse yonke into kuzwelonke (lockdown).

Abashadikazi kanye nomfundisi obengamele umshado babalwa kulabo abazolala bebaliwe. Baboshelwe ukuphambana nomthetho we Disaster Management kulesikhathi sombhedukazwe iCoronavirus.

Ngokubika kwe-SABC uMkhulumeli kaZwelonke wamaPhoyisa uVish Naidoo ugcizelele ukuthi imishado ayivumelekile  kulezi zinsuku ezingamashumi amabili nanye zokumisa nse yonke into ezweni.

"Abantu bavumelekile ukuhlanganyela babe ngaphezu kwamashumi amahlanu uma kungumgcwabo,inqobo nje uma indwendwe izosuka endaweni egcina izidumbu iqonde elibeni, lapho kuzofihlwa khona. Ngiyaphinda ngiyagcizelela imishado ayivumelekile ngalesi sikhathi." Kusho uNaidoo.

Kuzokhumbuleka ukuthi akukapheli zinsuku ezingaki kuboshwe abanye abashadikazi base Nkandla, enyakatho nesifundazwe saKwaZulu-Natal. UMnuz Jabulani Zulu no Nkk. Nomthandazo Mkhize baboshwa ngemuva kokusho izifungo zabo zomshado. Inkosi Bhekiziwe Biyela wasesigodini saseMahlaziyeni eNkandla yaluma indlebe abakasidlodlo ngemuva kokuthola ukuthi lezi zithandani ziyaqhubeka nomshado, yize esezixwayisile ngobungozi bokuqhubeka nomshado ebeziwuhlelile.

Ngokusho kuka Ngqongqoshe wezamaPhoyisa uGeneral Bheki Cele bangaphezu kwezinkulungwane ezimbili abantu asebeboshiwe selokhu kuqale ukumiswa nse kwezinto kuleli. UNgqongqoshe uCele ukusho lokhu ngoMsombuluko esedolobheni iNewcastle elisenyakatho nesifundazwe sakwaZulu-Natal lapho bekunesivimba mgwaqo khona.