“You have zero capacity, or you do not know what you are doing.”
This was the criticism mounted against Eastern Cape-based Ingwe TVET College’s Deputy Principal of Innovation and Development Sharon Mtoboli by the DA’s Karabo Khakhau on Wednesday.
Khakhau was speaking during the higher education portfolio committee meeting with the management, employees and student representatives of the college in Cape Town.
She slammed Mtoboli for failing to raise requisite funds to provide WiFi for students at the institution. She was also unable to find money to buy more computers for students’ use.
Mtoboli confirmed that she was appointed in 2023. She has not been able to make any progress with the matter since then, she said. She, however, claims to have raised at least R2-million for textbooks. But she could not elaborate on how the money was used.
No funding in two years
“In two years, you did nothing as far as improving technological access for labs. For me, it does not make sense. Particularly because you yourself, in response to Honourable [Mnqobi] Msezane’s question, said that your primary focus is to ensure that there is an enhancement of social life and technological access for young people. So, if that is at the heart of your focus, the very bare minimum, you were supposed to get that right,” she said.
The SRC outlined the deteriorating infrastructure alongside the complete lack of resources. This is hampering the development of students. Speaking during the meeting, SRC representative Kgoitsegalang Tamo set out that there is limited WiFi, lecture halls, desks and even textbooks.
“We are not asking for favours. Just for fair access to education, dignity and accountability,” said the SRC secretary-general.
She explained that four to five students must share a textbook, which often was old and missing pages.
The SRC highlighted that there were complaints about students’ supplementary marks remaining unchanged. This gives the impression that their scripts were not marked. While lack of internet connectivity has affected registration processes at the institution.
Lack of WiFi affects registration
“In most cases those students who have applied online … are not considered when the space is available. Instead, only walk-ins are being considered.
“An unreliable network used for registration delays the process as the internet is always down during registration. This especially in the afternoon, and that delays class commencement,” Tamo reiterated.
uMkhontho weSizwe Party’s Msezane wanted clarity about what Mtoboli’s role entails. He requested that she explain what strategy her department has implemented to assist students.
“The innovation and investment. We used to call it donor committee…it helps us get donations and rake in funding outside the college. [We do] partnership and innovation development,” Mtoboli told MPs.
However, Msezane was dissatisfied with the response. This saw Acting Principal Dr Rachere Radile stepping in to respond on her behalf.
“It is about partnerships which seek to create relationships for growth and development. This partnership will help the college to look at areas of funding,” he said.
Gross incompetence
Msezane then raised concerns about Mtoboli’s lack of understanding of her competencies as the deputy principal of the department.
He further pushed Mtoboli to outline the strategy which has been used to advocate for innovation at the college. But her colleagues continued to answer on her behalf.
