Johannesburg - The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in Gauteng has lauded Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi for what it called sterling work in transformation and the upliftment of poor schools.
Lesufi has also been praised by Ilawu, the Independent Allied Workers‘ Union, calling him “an MEC of exemplary standards”.
The union was commenting on Lesufi’s action against questionable procurement processes in the department after some services providers invoiced tens of millions of rand for fumigation of schools in the province. Lesufi swiftly called for an SIU investigation into the department and an external audit of all tenders granted out in the time era of Covid-19 PPE.
Lesufi is one of the younger MECs, with Mbali Hlophe, the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, being the youngest after the ANC adopted an approach called “The Generational Mix’’.
Sadtu provincial secretary Tshidiso Ledimo says the federation was proud to have an excellent MEC such as Lesufi in the province, praising him for his hard stance on racism and inequality left by the apartheid system.
“We see him as a hands-on MEC. When a matter arises, he is quickly at the scene to interact with stakeholders and most issues that he handles have a good outcome and we are all pleased with it.”
Ledimo said the union was quite happy with the advancement that Lesufi has brought to township schools with the introduction of new gadgets and smart boards, and the introduction of specialisation schools such as those of engineering and aviation,
Ilawu chairperson Siphesihle Jele said Lesufi was a leader that didn't support or protect cronyism.
“When the PPE scandal broke in Gauteng, the premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, was quick to suspend then MEC of Health Bandile Masuku, but did not open himself and his office to an investigation.
“There are allegations of corruption against the premier.
“Lesufi didn’t use his position as deputy chair of the province to shield himself from responsibility – that’s leadership.”
Jele said the union wasn’t aligned as they didn’t believe a union linked to the government could hold the government accountable.
The Star