Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
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Creator

Oyisa Sondlo

Oyisa Sondlo-Mzileni is a PhD sociology candidate at Nelson Mandela University, and Intern at the Friedrich-Ebert- Stiftung. She writes in personal capacity.

(Cornell Tukiri/Anadolu Agency)
JUNE 16

We collectively betray the June 16 memory

Some of the freedoms the youth fought for have been obtained but the battle for equal education is far from over

  • Oyisa Sondlo
5 min read
Over the years, the government has emphasised the narrative that our education system is improving based on the annual matric pass rates. (Deaan Vivier/Gallo Images/Beeld)
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Matric results a misleading indicator of the education system

Celebrating a high pass rate masks deep-seated problems such as the millions of people who did not make it to matric

  • Oyisa Sondlo
5 min read
Teachers need to move beyond asking learners to memorise information to being able to ask meaningful questions and work together on real-world problems.

The unspoken burden of sexual orientation in schools

A 12-year-old learner committed suicide allegedly after facing persistent homophobic remarks from a teacher

  • Oyisa Sondlo
5 min read
Developing an inclusive, multilateral approach in the global south is not only possible but achievable in the near future

The future of multilateralism and de-dollarisation

Developing an inclusive, multilateral approach in the global south is not only possible but achievable in the near future

  • Oyisa Sondlo
4 min read
Nombulelo Gladys Mbande, 55, who is responsible for the nursery at Sozama Pre-school in KwaNobuhle township, Kariega, plays with children outside the building. The school is located opposite a dumping site where residents throw rubbish, dead-dogs and nappies.
CHILDREN

Child deaths reveal neglect of townships

The quality of life of poor South Africans over the past 30 years continues to be ignored

  • Oyisa Sondlo
6 min read
The challenges that Banyana faced prior to the world cup include the pay gap between them and the male team (Bafana Bafana). It was also revealed that the South African Football Association (Safta) was paying the female team 10% less than the male team. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
BAFANA

Re-thinking women’s sport in South Africa

Policy does not match the all-inclusive ethos of the games women excel at

  • Oyisa Sondlo
6 min read
Pit latrines in Govan Mbeki municipality. A four year old child’s body was found in a pit latrine. (Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
EDUCATION

Pit toilets in schools violate human rights

The inequality in services provided is a legacy of apartheid

  • Oyisa Sondlo
4 min read
A child walks through floodwaters after heavy rainfall in Parys town of Orange Free state, South Africa on February 19, 2023. Floods have affected schools in rural areas and townships. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
FLOODS

Floods have a devastating effect on rural schooling

Rural and township schools are badly affected by natural disasters and the government seems not to care

  • Oyisa Sondlo
4 min read
A young girl reading in a cluttered corner of Foyles bookshop, London. (Photo by Chris Ware/Getty Images)
OPINION

Why our children cannot read for meaning at grade 4 level

The different stakeholders responsible for education must come together more than ever before to tackle the development of our children

  • Oyisa Sondlo
5 min read