In the past couple of weeks the news cycle touched on two stories with contrasting themes, which both having a bearing on the education of SA children.
One relates to Sibongile Mani, an accounting student at the Walter Sisulu University who stands accused of stealing a portion of the R14m of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money that found its way into her bank account after what the court referred to as a “ridiculous technical glitch”.
Mani admitted in court that she had blown R820,000 at 48 merchants in 73 days, which accounts for a spending spree of an average of R11,000 per day. In trying to sound clever, Mani told journalists: “The case is not about how the credit was spent. It’s about theft, and we are going to argue against [the] theft charge.”
Theft is defined as the crime of taking another person’s property or services without that person’s permission or consent with the intention to deprive the rightful owner of it. It must be borne in mind that NSFAS funds are meant to assist needy students and in this case Mani was due to receive R1,400 for her monthly food allowance. It can be argued that she realised the error but chose not to report it and instead embarked on a 73-day spending spree. The facts of this case are that NSFAS, through the Walter Sisulu University, did not grant permission or consent to the accused to spend its money.
Furthermore, it is clear that the accused had the express intention to deprive NSFAS of its money with her seeming mindset of “eat as much as you can before you are caught”. Her extraordinary profligacy is at odds with her chosen field of study. Accountants are professionals charged with keeping and interpreting financial records.
Honesty, integrity and high ethical standards certainly count as some of the most important character traits of a good accountant. As for Mani, a career in accounting is seemingly off limits. Psychologically, she was probably motivated by greed, a sense of entitlement and the urge to be popular with her peers.
Had Mani chosen honesty over skulduggery, she could have even been rewarded and enhanced her moral standing. With an accounting career out of the question, her next best option, if she avoids serving jail time, would be as an ANC functionary where her underhanded skills can be put to good use.
Allegedly stealing funds meant for the education of poor students was an unconscionable move on her part, and for that she deserves to be found guilty and punished accordingly. This will serve as a deterrent for others of her ilk who might be tempted to copy her deceitful ways.
In the other story, the Sandton City Mall donated R700,000 of its parking income to Rays of Hope, a non-profit organisation that manages various social outreach programmes in Alexandra. According to Sandton City, the donation will contribute towards 65 children, who will receive good formative early childhood development (ECD). Specifically, an ECD centre in Stjwetla, the poorest area of Alexandra, would be allocated the funds.
Rays of Hope has been involved with the centre since 2020 and has assisted with putting good structures in place, improved the menu and also with the upskilling of teachers. The funds will come in handy for the children who will benefit through a spacious play area, educational toys and books. Reacting to this solicitous gesture by Sandton City, Rays of Hope CEO Sihle Mooi remarked, “Rays of Hope are so grateful for the partnership that we have with Sandton City, which started a few years ago. This most recent donation is incredible and will go so far towards providing quality education to the little people who attend our ECD centre in Stjwetla.”
It must be said that the significance of an effective and efficient ECD sector can never be overstated. ECD is described as an important period in a child's development with studies showing that early childhood education (ECE) is critical in preparing children to enter and succeed in the classroom, diminishing their risk of social-emotional mental health problems and increasing their self-sufficiency later in their lives.
According to Unicef, “Providing ECD intervention to all young children and families is one of the most powerful and cost-effective equalisers we have at our disposal, to ensure that the most vulnerable children can reach their potential.”
For its attempts to bridge the gap between the disparities that exist between Sandton, Africa’s "Richest Square Mile", and Alexandra, one of the poorest urban areas in the country, Sandton City deserves applause with the hope that other corporate entities would emulate this noble example.
Putting it in clearer perspective, Sandton City general manager Preston Gaddy said, “ECD is a fundamental part of enabling a child to succeed to their full potential in life.”
SA is in desperate need of such heartwarming stories.
Plaudits are in order for Sandon City while prison beckons for Mani. She deserves no less.
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