Naledi Pandor | Radio 94.7 FM

International relations minister Naledi Pandor met ambassadors and high commissioners from Africa on Monday to ease tensions after a diplomatic fallout triggered by attacks on foreign nationals that have rocked the country.

Pandor told the diplomats, among other explanations, that the legacy of apartheid which caused economic inequalities in the country was to blame for locals losing their cool with their African brothers and sisters in a scramble for crumbs.

This phenomenon was among a “toxic mix of socio-economic challenges” and should not be overlooked if long-term solutions were to be found to the current crisis, she said.

It was the same situation of poverty, lack of skills and economic inequalities in other African countries that continued to push migrants to the south in a quest for economic opportunities, said the minister.

As this southward migration increased, some migrants were cashing in with criminal intentions.</
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Shocking information on passing rates at community colleges for education and training was announced in parliament.

Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor responded to a written question on this by DA MP Andricus van der Westhuizen.

Community colleges provide basic adult literacy skills, and according to Pandor’s announcement, the national pass rate in that sector, is only 38%. This government spends billions of taxpayers’ money towards adult education, revenue that is not reaching its goal.

The pass rate varies from province to province, with the Western Cape’s pass rate being the highest and Limpopo’s the lowest.

The Western Cape achieved a pass rate of 45%, followed by the Eastern Cape in a surprising second place with 44%, the Free State 43.3%, KwaZulu-Natal with 41.9%, Mpumalanga with 39.2% , Gauteng with 38.9%, Northwest with 35.8%, Northern Cape with 30.8% and Limpopo last hand with 22.4%.