Rob Hersov argues that the most devastating failure of the ANC is not Eskom or state capture but what he sees as the deliberate collapse of South Africa’s education system.
According to his view, the crisis is severe. A large majority of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning and most public schools are described as dysfunctional. Hersov also claims that the teachers union SADTU blocks reform, shields underperforming educators, and even influences the appointment of school principals.
In his argument, the consequences of this situation extend far beyond the classroom. Hersov contends that a poorly educated population becomes increasingly dependent on social grants and therefore more politically loyal to the ruling party. He frames this as a strategic advantage for the ANC, not an accident. He contrasts this with the Western Cape, which he believes demonstrates that a functioning public education system is entirely achievable in South Africa.
Hersov concludes that meaningful change requires challenging the influence of the union, removing incompetent educators, and supporting political alternatives that prioritize the future of South African children.
His message is a call for voters to recognize the long term impact of the education crisis and to demand accountability from those in power.
