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22 October 2018 Photo Sonia Small
Prof Philippe Burgers book Getting It Right
Prof Philippe Burger’s book Getting It Right: A New Economy for South Africa highlights the urgent need to purge government policies of all forms of toxic patronage relationships and mismanagement in order to save our economy.
South Africa is in an economic rut. Economic growth has collapsed, the unemployment rate has increased, and the country’s level of inequality is of the highest in the world. As if that’s not enough, high levels of corruption, patronage, and state capture also mean that it suffers from severe institutional rot.

It is a sobering picture that is painted on the outside cover of Getting It Right: A New Economy for South Africa – the latest book by Prof Phillipe Burger, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.  In the book, he explains how the legacy of the Apartheid era labour system, the old system of Bantu Education, and the former Bantustans still cripple our economy. And why 24 years of democratic government reforms could still not deliver on the promises of work and prosperity.

Education to blame
 
One of the chargeable factors he singles out, is the state of our education system.
 
“Half of South Africa’s children start school, but never finish. Less than one percent of learners achieve a distinction in Maths in the final matric exam. And on an organisational level, many schools are crippled by labour unions calling the shots, which often means that underperforming teachers stay in their jobs. All these things eventually contribute to our unemployment rate of 27%,” he says.

Towards solutions
The solutions he advocates include securing recurrent economic investment by creating an investor-friendly environment, but also paying urgent attention to ridding our education system and communal land areas under traditional chiefs, where 32% of South Africa’s population are still living, of all forms of self-serving patronage relationships.
 
Prof Burger wrote the bulk of the book during his nine-month tenure as a Fulbright Exchange Scholar in the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University’s Earth Institute (New York). The time he spent there with renowned American economist, Professor Jeffrey Sachs – who also wrote the foreword of his book – was invaluable to his research.
  
Returning from an overseas trip recently, Prof Burger was delighted to see Getting It Right on the bestsellers shelf of Exclusive Books at the OR Tambo Airport. 
“It was a great welcome-home gift!”

He hopes the book will be read by the generally informed public in the run-up to next year’s elections, and that it will help to influence how people think about policy issues.

News Archive

The UFS #FaceOfFacebook
2014-11-14

At the UFS, we are committed to our Human Project, which sets the standard for good behaviour and care. It reaches internally to our students and externally to our prospective students and our communities.

And so, the Kovsies #FaceOfFacebook was born from the need to communicate with students and thus become a virtual friend. Yearly auditions are held to choose the new face representing the UFS on Facebook. The successful candidate holds the title #FaceOfFacebook for the next 12 months, attending events and filming short video clips to post on our Facebook page.

We had a quick chat with our current #FaceOfFacebook, Katleho 'Blue' Letube …

Who is Blue?

"Media mistress, fashion phenom, diva divine darling, superwoman and lover of life.
I was born in a small town called Bothaville, where my mom and her side of the family are living . I started pre-school there, moved and completed my schooling career at St. Andrew's High School (a very proud S aint) in Welkom. That is where my dad and his side of the family are living . Also, I am a proud resident of House NJ vd Merwe and I am studying Governance and Political Transformation."

How do you balance everything you do?

"It's relatively easy for me to strike a balance between my academics, social life and leadership duties, because Jesus is at the centre of all that I do. He is my guide and my strength. However, I also take it upon myself to prioritise. Although I am a '' liker of things'' , I ensure that my academics are the priority and everything else falls into place perfectly."

Are you dating someone?

"Hahaha, wouldn't you just love to know? Well, yes I am off-market. I'm completely taken and I'm happy."

What drives you?

"I always feel the urge to expand myself by working harder, smarter, stronger, and more efficiently. If there's an extra mile to go, the strength inside me draws out the willingness and ability to go that extra mile."

What is it like being the #FaceOfFacebook?

"I have been privileged to be entrusted with this duty and I carry it out with pride and passion. Being the #FaceOfFacebook means you get to meet a new face on campus almost every day, because people recognis e you and want to know you better. This opportunity has opened many doors for me and has equipped me with skills that have allowed me to grow as an individual. Therefore I will forever be grateful."

Where are you going to be in five years from now?

"Five years from now I would like to see myself as a better person both personally and professionally, in a respectable and reputed position earned through my hard work and skills. However, do not be surprised if you see me as a presenter on Vuzu.TV."

Advice to prospective students?

"Do not be that pupil who enrolled at this awesome institute and never takes advantage of its kindness. The University of The Free State is an institution that offers an excessive amount of opportunities to students. Step up and get out of your comfort zone. See an opportunity, seek the opportunity and cease it. You are at a university that provides you with a platform for you to grow."

What's your favourite colour?

My favourite colours are Black, White and Blue – hahaha!!

Kovsies can keep in touch:

Facebook: Katlego Blue Letube
Twitter: @Princess_blue31
Instagram: katlegoletube

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