Cape Town must be the most interesting and most intriguing place on the planet when it comes to the weather. One day it’s all sunny with clear blue skies and the next day it’s cold, windy and overcast. Coughs, colds and sneezes are the result of this chameleon-natured weather.
As a result a young guy apologizes to his friend in the middle of a conversation as he goes into a sneezing fit, blows his nose whilst apologizing again with bloodshot eyes.
“Sorry bra the hay fever goes ballistic in this kinda weather,” he says after giving his nose a good blow.
“Bra are you also going to varsity today with all the unrest and disruption of classes being the order of the day?” his friend asks whilst he gathers himself trying to manage the irritating symptoms of his sinusitis.
He thinks for a moment before he replies: “My parents are making huge sacrifices in order for me to get my degree. I can’t waste their time and my time bru.”
“You are right. I’m all sympathetic towards the students who are really battling to pay their fees but my folks are trusting me to make good use of the opportunity I’m being granted.”
At that moment the train sneaks into the station almost unnoticed like a thief in the night.
Quickly we settle into a rhythm with the mechanical noise ka-tak ka-tuk ka-tuk audible.
The two young students continue with their conversation.
“I have friends attending classes with me who are struggling to pay their fees and who are really passionate about getting education, also wanting to achieve their goals and contribute towards the economy of the country,” the guy with the handkerchief says wiping his nose again.
“I can’t understand why our country with all its wealth and resources makes it impossible for students, especially those from impoverished backgrounds to at least enjoy subsidised higher education,” his friend adds.
He continues after gathering his thoughts: “Education is the tool to alleviate poverty bra. It goes without saying.”
His friend interjects: “My concern is not to be a jobless graduate. That’s why I’m doing job shadowing and at times voluntary work just to get my foot in the door and a bit of exposure in the job market.”
“I am of the belief that communication between Students Representative Councils and the Ministry of Higher Education should be on-going so that we don’t have to find ourselves back where we were one year ago.”
“It’s more than just the eight per cent increment on fees; it’s the struggles, the challenges, the frustration and at times the lack of support that tends to boil over.”
“Our system is failing us big time bru,” the guy says just in time before he sneezes in the handkerchief again.
“I agree, and I must add that with all the expert knowledge we possess the Ministry of Education fails to find answers or find a solution for the predicament at our universities.”
As he blows his nose again he shows his friend to just wait with the other hand.
The friend waits patiently…
He sniffs and clears his throat before he replies: “My friend let me tell you what’s wrong,” and he sniffs again trying to get rid of the irritation in his nose.
“We lack leadership who have the calibre, wisdom and stature of Nelson Mandela; a man who I believe would have had the answer; who would have spoken to the students like a father speaks to his children who would bring calmness to the situation. That is the measure of the man… the aura the man had. That is what South Africa lacks and needs.”
His friend shakes his head, closes his eyes, opens them again and says: “Speak it Jason!”
We enter Salt River station just as unnoticed as the cable thieves but this time they are not around…