Every time a school removes pure mathematics, a girl who could have been an engineer, scientist, or innovator is told: ‘This path is not for you’. Mathematics is more than a subject on the timetable. It is the entry ticket to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the very fields where South Africa… Continue reading Why Dropping Pure Maths Betrays a Generation of Girls
Author: DR SIZILE MAKOLA
South Africa Is Not Ready for the Coming White-Collar AI Bloodbath
A major disruption is unfolding in global white-collar employment. According to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could vanish in the next five years due to advances in artificial intelligence. As detailed in Axios’ article “Behind the Curtain: A White-Collar Bloodbath”, this isn’t science fiction; it’s a forecast from one… Continue reading South Africa Is Not Ready for the Coming White-Collar AI Bloodbath
Defending Equitable Transformation: Why the DA’s Attack on Employment Equity Misses the Mark
When Helen Zille claims that South Africa’s Employment Equity (EE) Amendments amount to “unfair discrimination,” is she misreading the Constitution, or deliberately distorting it? The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) legal challenge against the EE Amendment Act relies on flawed logic, ignores binding precedent, and risks undermining one of the few effective tools for dismantling apartheid’s economic… Continue reading Defending Equitable Transformation: Why the DA’s Attack on Employment Equity Misses the Mark
Climbing the Glass Cliff: Why We Must Rally Behind Our New NSFAS Chairwoman
South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also… Continue reading Climbing the Glass Cliff: Why We Must Rally Behind Our New NSFAS Chairwoman
Authoritarian Leadership Style and Culture at Universities: A Critical Examination
In recent years, universities have come under scrutiny for adopting an authoritarian leadership style and culture characterised by hierarchy, command-and-control decision-making, and rigid adherence to authority. This leadership, inspired by authoritarian efficiency, poses significant challenges when applied to academic institutions. Universities, as hubs of knowledge and creativity, require leadership styles that align with their unique… Continue reading Authoritarian Leadership Style and Culture at Universities: A Critical Examination
Should South Africa Continue Publishing Matric Results in Newspapers?
South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. In early January every year, many parents and their children wait anxiously for the publishing of matric results. Questions should be asked about the continued relevance of this tradition, even though it once symbolized transparency and accountability. We live in a time when… Continue reading Should South Africa Continue Publishing Matric Results in Newspapers?
Why Traditional Health Practitioners Should Be Included in Workplace Well-being Programmes
In an era where workplace wellbeing is central to employee productivity and satisfaction, traditional approaches to mental and physical health are not always sufficient. For many African employees, healing and well-being extend beyond Western medical practices and tap into ancestral, spiritual, and traditional health systems. These beliefs play a significant role in the lives of… Continue reading Why Traditional Health Practitioners Should Be Included in Workplace Well-being Programmes