Minister Siviwe Gwarube/ Picture: X(formerly Twitter)
The Department of Basic Education (DoBE) along with Minister Siviwe Gwarube have found themselves in hot water as citizens call them out for their latest Mi Desk Global initiative, claiming that the idea did not land in the intended way.
Similarly to the Health Department’s scooter ambulance saga in the Eastern Cape, South Africans have called the DoBE out for not having their thinking caps fully on when making the decision to launch the Mi Desk Global initiative that sees young learners from disadvantaged homes and families having to carry around foldable desks to and from school everyday.
Via her social media platforms, minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that courtesy of a generous donation from the popular food franchise McDonald’s, she handed over some Mi Desks to grade 1 pupils who attend St Paul’s Primary School in Bo Kaap. According to the minister, these wheelie bags transform into a fully functioning desk and chair for learners to use both at school and at home.
Today, I handed over Mi Desks to Grade 1 learners at St Paul’s Primary school in Bo Kaap, thanks to a generous donation from @McDonalds. @MiDeskGlobal manufactures wheelie school bags that transform into a fully functional desk and chair, easy for learners to use both at home… pic.twitter.com/ch4cv488QE
— Siviwe Gwarube (@Siviwe_G) February 24, 2025
This announcement has garnered a significant amount of backlash from citizens across the country, who have noted the thoughtlessness and impracticality of this concept. According to these users, this initiative fails to address the core issues, which is that the department has consistently failed to provide adequate resources for learners from disadvantaged homes, and would rather cover the gaping wound with a mere plaster.
Furthermore, these users highlight the immorality of using young learners as walking advertisements for big corporations such as Mc Donald’s and HollywoodBets.
This is so dehumanising. Why must poor children have to stare at adverts for gambling and fast food all day just to get an education??? Why isn’t this being regulated?? https://t.co/SCtV3ZuHpV
— Uppity African 🍉 (@naledimashishi) February 26, 2025
They turned little kids into corporate PR billboards in exchange for desks. And not just any corporates. Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/eDZkq1wmlM
— Dan Corder 📺 (@DanCorderOnAir) February 26, 2025
Other concerned parents and citizens have inquired why building new desks and chairs that will remain in the classroom was no a viable alternative solution for the department. To them, this confirms their suspicions and accusations, that this initiative, and many others by the government are merely performative instead of effective as a significant percentage of these learners already face challenges like having to walk long distances to and from school. The added weight of the desk and chair only serve as an inconvenience to these learners, users say.
BUY DESKS FOR THE SCHOOL!!! Don’t make babies carry desks on their backs for your company’s marketing. What the fuck is wrong with people? Do you know how many people had to approve that bullshit idea before it became a reality?
— Gorjas Mohale (@BlckPorcelain) February 26, 2025
There was literally no thought to that initiative. Foldable desk and chair at an additional 7kgs, on the back of a baby before and AFTER school? https://t.co/EFNOION3bW pic.twitter.com/ikL82V3LoP
— Lu 🦍🖤 (@Nolundi_M) February 25, 2025
Some things you can just tell are designed strictly for poor people. Poor black people at that coz getting an actual desk would have been easier but no. Get a foldable desk for the poor, they ain’t got no choice but to take it. https://t.co/5mEeMFGupQ
— Lalo Salamanca (@Sizwe_M1) February 26, 2025
Also see: Vrrr phas are out and the Asian market is in lately, as per the economy
