The media industry in Swaziland has welcomed the multi-media programmes that the private Limkokwing University will offer when it opens in April 2011.
Bongani Mamba, the Vice Chairman of the Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture SNCAC, reportedly said the media industry in Swaziland would improve as a result of the courses.
The Times of Swaziland, the only independent daily newspaper in the kingdom, reported him saying, ‘We as an association that has its heart set on changing the local film industry for the better, are really excited about the different programmes that will be offered by Limkokwing. The film industry needs this kind of professionalism that the different diplomas and degrees will ultimately ensure and our association wants to utilise their services.’
The newspaper reported Swazi TV spokesperson, Pholile Maseko, saying, ‘We as a broadcaster feel the programmes will be very beneficial to the industry. We are actually looking at engaging the university to help our current employees sharpen and further develop their skills. The fact that more people will learn the tricks of the trade is awesome for our industry. There will no doubt be a lot of fresh talent that will bring with them innovative ideas that will benefit the TV industry.’
What they really mean is that the media industry welcomes the fact that it doesn’t have to pay to train its own workers, because the Swazi taxpayer will do it for them through the 800 scholarships the Swaziland Government is giving to students to study at the university.
As I wrote yesterday (9 February 2011), universities in Swaziland are out of touch with the real needs of the kingdom and money is spent on courses that have no relevance to any national development plan.
Graduates from the Creative Multimedia, Design Innovation and Film & Broadcasting courses Limkokwing proposes to teach will not be able to contribute anything into Swaziland’s development needs and the Swazi people shouldn’t pay for them. The graduates will mostly go to private companies whose intention is to make profits.
If the media industry wants these graduates, let them put up the scholarships. Swaziland is too poor and has other priorities in university education.
See also
NEW SWAZI UNIVERSITY SUBSTANDARD
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-swazi-university-substandard.html
SWAZI UNIVERSITIES LACK RELEVANCE
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/02/swazi-universities-lack-relevance.html
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