Agri SA says that the
choices on labour unrest will be decisive for South Africa. It says in a statement that it is evident that the wage and related challenges are not exclusively, but mainly that of seasonal workers who have to earn their annual income over a period of a few months.
On the education front, something really needs to be done to jack up our education system after the latest results show that
maths and science skills remain poor, with grade nine pupils recording a dismal average score of 12.7% in mathematics and 35% in first additional language in the Department of Basic Education's second annual national assessments of pupils' mathematics and literacy abilities.
Such results will have a massive impact on school-leavers' ability to find employment.
On the tourism front, Chris Moerdyk asks:
Is SA being priced out of the tourist market? As comments on the article seem to have it, the answer could be a big "Yes!" and remember, once tourists have been ripped off - or feel they have been ripped off - they will never come back, and they will tell everyone they know.
Finally, Amelia Jones reckons that the
proposed BEE amendments are nonsensical, immoral and counter-productive and will hamper social development efforts in the Western Cape and elsewhere.
Rod Baker: Content Director
Submit your company news to
educationnews@bizcommunity.com. Exclusive contributions may be sent to
contributors-education@bizcommunity.com.
Transnet announced that it will be launching a Maritime School in KwaZulu-Natal, with regional satellite centres in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, focusing on the development of critical maritime skills for the country and the region. A number of trainee positions are currently available, with the focus on supporting Port and Terminal operations. 
Northlink College recently received a visit from Minister Dan Plato and Gideon Morris (chief director: secretariat for safety and security) to discuss a partnership that was piloted a few months ago with the Department of Community Safety and Security in the Western Cape. 
The Zamani Research Group of UCT's Geomatics Department is partnering with UNESCO, the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, and the Jordanian Department of Antiquities to digitally survey and map the fabled rock city of Petra, between the Dead Sea and Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan. 
Samsung South Africa launched its Smart School solution at Crawford Preparatory in Benmore, Sandton recently - the first of many to come for the local market. Samsung Smart School is a complete converged digital education package that provides learners and educators with access to 65-inch interactive e-Boards (whiteboards) and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 devices which provides software for teachers - designed to improve classroom management and the overall learning environment. 
