Why is the decision to bring Cuban engineers into South Africa so controversial? Is it perhaps to do with the fact that many people agree with Herman Mashaba's view that the Cuban education system is inferior? Opinions from leading global bodies seem at odds with Mashaba's understanding of the situation.
The disquiet over the "importation" of Cuban engineers by the government brings to the fore an important discussion on skills and unemployment in South Africa, and how we debate. Until now, many South Africans would have been under the impression that this country suffers a skills shortage, particularly in technical and specialised fields.
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