Solidarity slams Unisa

2004-10-05 15:53

Pretoria - The trade union Solidarity has criticised the University of SA (Unisa) for appointing deposed Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his wife Mildred as honorary research fellows on Tuesday.

The couple, who are staying in South Africa as guests of the state, fled the Caribbean island in February this year after revolts.

Aristide has assumed the post of research fellow in the College of Human Sciences with immediate effect and his wife, a lawyer with academic qualifications from the United States, has been attached to the Centre for African Renaissance Studies (Cars).

Solidarity accused the university of "political favouritism".

Solidarity spokesperson Dirk Hermann said the university was filling posts with controversial foreign politicians while numerous local academics and researchers were forced to leave the country in search of work.

"While our own people are leaving the country, and while unemployment in our country is at such high levels, Unisa decides to offer jobs to a controversial political figure and his wife.

"It is clear that merit played no part in these appointments," Hermann said in a statement.

Well qualified

But Unisa's vice-chancellor Barney Pityana argued that both were well qualified.

"He (Aristide) has qualifications in theology, philosophy and psychology obtained at universities in Haiti and Rome.

"He has an abiding interest in academic life and development.

"His attachment to Unisa will give him an opportunity to undertake research and publish in learned journals," Pityana said.

He added that Aristide's wife practised law in the US and for some years campaigned for, and was involved in, advocacy for Haiti since the first time Aristide was exiled in the USA.

She also chaired the council on Aids in Haiti, Pityana said.

"She has an academic interest in HIV/Aids policy. The multi-disciplinary character of Cars programmes will give her opportunity to advance her varied academic interests in research and teaching."

Pityana said the university was honoured to offer the Aristides hospitality as researchers and academics.

"We hope to offer them an environment conducive to pursuing their academic careers.

" The university is delighted to be associated with their efforts."

Hermann objected, saying "While employees of Unisa suffer uncertainty about their future careers following the merger with Technikon SA, the red carpet is rolled out for a foreign politician with an unsavoury human rights record."

- SAPA