Basic education is very important to developing a scientifically literate country, and so our failure here is one that will haunt us for decades.

Part of the whole set of values I was raised with was the idea that if you are in a position of authority over other people, you take responsibility for them too.

And you cannot devolve that responsibility downwards. If you say X member of staff stuffed up, well who put that member of staff in that position to stuff up?

This is part of what lies behind the saying “A poor workman blames his tools” – a poor boss blames his or her staff.

It is also why you want to minimise middle management, because you aren’t just responsible for the people you hire, but the people hired by the people you hire.

This is one of the reasons why I find the whole saga disappointing – that reluctance by our leaders to take the burdens of leadership, instead trying to pass them down the line.

Mistakes will happen, and the thing to remember is they are ultimately your mistakes if you are in charge. In a position of authority blame is an infinite resource; the more you share the more of it there is.

It is important for ministers to hold their staff accountable in order to make governing possible, but the ministers are ultimately the ones who are responsible for the running of their portfolios.

This song is not just about Angie Motshekga, but the culture she exemplifies. Unfortunately I sing about as well as Motshekga governs, so this only comes in a written format.

South African Angie (Rolling Stones parody)

Angie, Angie, when will those textbooks appear?
Angie, Angie, your mistakes will cost us dear
With no desks in our schools, we’re a generation of fools
We can’t say we’re satisfied
And Angie, Angie, can you say you even tried?
Angie, you screwed up royally, ain’t it time we said goodbye?
Angie, we don’t love you and frankly where is your pride?
As the year draws to a close and schooling is a joke
You administrated out your rear
Angie, Angie, your mistakes will cost us dear
Oh Angie you’re a creep, blaming staff as faults run deep
You’re responsible in our eyes
Angie, Angie, ain’t it time we said goodbye?
With no desks in our schools, we’re a generation of fools
We can’t say we’re satisfied
Angie, in the wrong job maybe
Perhaps somewhere else your talent lies
But Angie, you’ve left our schools barely alive
And Angie, Angie, can you say you even tried?