If this is the revolution Chris Hart started, he’s given SA a lasting gift
Economist Chris Hart doesn't strike you as the kind of person who will start a revolution. Tall and heavy, he is a gentle soul except when discussing his passion of economics. But Hart may have sparked a revolution of sorts with his inappropriate tweet over the weekend for which he has unreservedly apologised. Some social media firebrands made him their cause celebre, saying his 140 characters deeply offended them and reflected a deeper problem. Some of them even dug up and circulated his old academic record – he had a rather scratchy start to his studies (see below) – using it to claim Hart had lied about earning two degrees. These academic sleuths were particularly upset with me for mentioning in my newsletter this week that Hart has a BSc and an economics degree. I drew this conclusion from Hart's introduction in his book Half Way There where he refers to qualifying at Wits "in the sciences" and later "able to complete further studies in economics." The M&G reports this morning that Wits confirmed Hart earned an HEd (physical science) in 1985 and a BComm in 1997. A matter which won't be as easily closed, though, is renewed focus on racism that erupted from the Hart episode. Like anyone who has lived in this country for more than half a century, I've seen my fair share of racists. But I've also seen people change. Sometimes dramatically. If the Hart saga gets South Africans thinking about how to engage more respectfully with those from different backgrounds, the nation will have received a lasting gift. As mentioned on my Facebook page in response to a particularly angry critic, what this country needs now is more nation building, less toxins. Well done to the ANC Gauteng Government for setting an example, as the News24 story below illustrates. – Alec Hogg
By Thulani Gqirana, News24