'Teachers should be paid as much as doctors' – Mmusi Maimane, Build One South Africa
Maimane's remarks are sparking a heated debate, with many agreeing while others reckon, he is merely seeking attention.
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
Clement Manyathela interviews Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane, Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Spokesperson for the South African Medical Association and Dr Mugwena Maluleke, General Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union.
Listen below.
Bosa founder Mmusi Maimane recently took to X, saying, "Teachers should be paid as much as doctors."
He went on to emphasise that the standards for teaching should be as rigorous as any other profession where individuals are entrusted with the care of a child.
"We must stop playing games. The value we place on teachers is the value we place on the education of our children," Maimane added.
His remarks sparked a heated debate, with many agreeing, while others critiqued his statement, with some claiming that 'Mmusi tweets just for attention seeking'.
"When you sit in a classroom, you realise that you lose a lot of quality teachers... The skill that a teacher possesses is so fundamental and vital that we want to keep it in a classroom."
- Mmusi Maimane, Leader – Bosa
Maimane believes that teachers who have earned their Master’s and PhD degrees should be incentivised to remain in the education sector.
He argues that one such incentive should be offering competitive compensation, as failing to do so risks losing these highly qualified educators to other industries.
He also warns that the ongoing loss of teachers could lead to significant challenges for future generations.
"I would rather have a brilliant teacher sitting in the classroom, well-paid, looking after their family well so that they can develop future doctors, lawyers, nurses, etc."
- Mmusi Maimane, Leader – Bosa
Maluleke from the South African Democratic Teachers' Union says that it is essential to strive for better salaries for teachers.
He agrees with Maimane's view that higher pay is necessary to attract young, talented individuals who can contribute to boosting the country’s economy.
Maluleke also emphasises that teachers play a crucial role in shaping professionals like doctors, and therefore teaching should be regarded with the same level of respect as the medical profession.
Mvuyisi Mzukwa from the South African Medical Association explains that the salary structure for doctors is highly complex, influenced by factors such as experience, location (rural versus urban), and qualifications.
As a result, he says that comparing teachers' salaries to doctors' salaries is more complicated than it may seem.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.