Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. Image via: Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga. Image via: Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo
Groans and disapproval echoed around the courtyard at the Nellmapius Secondary School in Pretoria on Monday morning when Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga told students that education is the key to preventing some of the most disturbing issues facing the women of South Africa.
“An educated man won’t rape,” she said, with the students seated before her responding with audible disapproval.
Motshekga makes GBV gaff at secondary school
Motshekga was visiting the school as she conducts oversight duties at several schools that have welcomed students back to the classroom for the first time in 2021. On Sunday, Motshekga promised that her department would continue to monitor progress and compliance with the COVID-19 protocols that have been laid out for schools.
But what was intended as a message of inspiration turned sour when she insinuated that uneducated men alone are responsible for the scourge of Gender Based Violence currently wreaking havoc on the women of South Africa.
“This government has prioritised education because it knows that it is only through education that we can deal with some of our challenges that are here. An educated man won’t rape again.”
Students respond with disapproval
When the students voiced their disagreement with her sentiment, Motshekga backtracked:
“Or do they? Now I am disappointed. They don’t do other things? Oh, they do?”
She said that she had clearly been misinformed amidst an extremely uncomfortable moment in which many giggled and scoffed.
“So my theory that the more educated you are the less you get involved in wrong things because you can look after yourself, you can look after your family and your environment [must be incorrect],” she said.
“It is very important that you use every opportunity that is given to you,” she added.
Motshekga responds
Motshekga quickly apologised for her remarks and clarified that she was referring to programmes being rolled out in schools that aim to make young men aware of their role in stemming the scourge of GBV.
“The comments were made in relation to gender-based violence. Rape is indeed about power, hence the Department has programmes to educate the boy child to appreciate the importance of how to deal with power relations between men and women from a young age,” she said in a statement.
“Therefore, my remarks must not be taken out of the context of educating children to develop them to become better people. Men need to be educated about how to deal with power, patriarchy and negative or toxic masculinity. Educating men about power relations is also important also in the fight against rape.”
She added that the reaction of the students is not worth commenting on, as she had “aimed to encourage them to be educated on GBV including educating them about women abuse”.
Maimane: ‘We need a new Education Minister’
On SA Movement leader Mmusi Maimane quickly weighed in on Motshekga’s gaff and said that she is in dire need of replacing.
“We urgently need a new minister of basic education,” he tweeted. “Angie Motshegka exhibits a lack of understanding about how and why Rape and GBV occurs in South Africa.”
“The learners seemed to know more about the reality of these issues than the person who is paid to administer their education along with 13 million other learners.”
“The kids are all right, the education administration is holding them back from reaching their full potential.”
