Sparks flew when Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande lashed the media and opposition parties for assuming “this government of darkies is incapable” when it came to improving education.
Nzimande’s use of the word “darkies” was challenged by the DA as unparliamentary.
Later, Nzimande infuriated main opposition benches when he accused them of sending “security to shoot people in Hout Bay”.
The clashes came during the debate on Tuesday on President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation speech.
Earlier, DA spokesman on basic education Wilmot James had urged Zuma to “face down” teachers’ union Sadtu, which he said was crippling schooling in many parts of the country.
“The fact is that your provincial education ministers in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga are undermining your education agenda by doing a deal with Sadtu which results in teachers being absent from school, teachers who are late for school, teachers who take endless amounts of leave, who, in short, neglect their duty and cannot teach,” James said.
“You have to stand up to Sadtu, Mr President. You cannot remain silent on Sadtu.You have to face down Sadtu, Mr President.”
Zuma should “stand up” for pupils who wanted to learn and grasp opportunities, and teachers committed to education, rather than Sadtu “bosses”.
“There is a gap that lies between what you say and what your education officials do.”
James slammed 2010 matric results as “suspect”. He said qualifications authority Umalusi “practised grade inflation by pushing up marks to make many pass who would otherwise have failed”.
This meant universities had to cope with “more underprepared students” while lecturers were “turned into remedial teachers, trying to fix a problem created by the schools”.
Nzimande fired back, saying that the biggest education priority was improving maths, science and literacy through assessments, teacher development, providing textbooks and workbooks, and building and refurbishing schools.
“So don’t come here and tell us about problems that we already know,” Nzimande thundered. “Don’t have sleepless nights over Sadtu. We don’t stare down Sadtu, we engage Sadtu, we will move along with Sadtu to improve the quality of schooling.
“The 2010 improved matric results are a testimony to the fact that we are beginning to put our schooling system on a much better footing. But unfortunately from the media and the opposition benches we have the same ritual every year.
“If the matric results are bad, this is taken as proof that this government of darkies is incapable. If the matric pass rate goes up, it means the results have been manipulated by these darkies. In either case, the arrogant, sneering tone of this discourse, which is often racist, frankly, is aimed at undermining the confidence of our people in both our education system and government - and they’ll not succeed in that.”
DA national spokeswoman Lindiwe Mazibuko asked Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo to rule on whether the use of the word “darkies” was parliamentary. “It may be appropriate in casual settings, but in this house where you are required to act with a modicum of decorum it would be unparliamentary,” she said.
ANC MP Mike Masutha said Nzimande was merely quoting negative sentiments, but Mazibuko insisted on a ruling.
Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota jumped in, asking that a ruling be made.
“If a member of the opposition criticises government, is that justification for calling them racist?” Lekota said.
“Because I am an African … I have behind me members of my party who are white. If they criticise the government, is it because they are racist or because they are critical?”
Mfeketo said she would rule later on the matter.
Nzimande accused DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip of being selective in criticism of Zuma, saying the DA in the Western Cape affronted people’s dignity with “open toilets” and sent “security to shoot people in Hout Bay” because they “live too close”.
DA deputy chief whip Mike Ellis asked for a ruling on this.
“The honourable minister is standing there and deliberately inciting us by referring to us as shooting people in the townships,” he said. “It is absolutely unacceptable that someone can stand up and make that kind of statement in Parliament.”
Nzimande responded: “I hit where it hurts, and that is why you are crying.” - Political Bureau
