'Most universities must be closed; not producing skills'

ECONOMIST Dawie Roodt said last week that most public universities in South Africa should be closed because they are not producing the required skills.

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He gave some examples, such as the need for electricians, and asserted that the humanities are at the bottom of the skills set production. While theology specifically was not mentioned by Roodt in his musings, the question of its place in a university always lingers.

For this reason, one is prone to respond, since this question has, in the past, been directed at the humanities — and theology in particular. A myriad of sentiments suggests, with reason, that theology is a science worth engaging with in the university.

From the likes of F.C. Baur to Ernst Troeltsch, there has always been conversation on the role of theology and the humanities, particularly in the university.

For this reason, the argument advanced by Roodt is, sadly, not a new invention. The beginning of each century has seen renewed questions, and conversations have ensued around whether the humanities, as a science, have a place in the university.

Thus, along every critical step in the evolution of the idea of a university, new questions have arisen, and all these have been met with corresponding responses.

Two scholars come to mind as I reflect on Roodt's views on a university. It is clear that, for Roodt, the university space should be reserved for those who can contribute to producing skills for society.

Without justifying why other so-called humanities programs are irrelevant, Roodt seems to have no qualms with the idea of a university in Africa and what it initially came to represent.

These two scholars are Ali Mazrui and Mahmood Mamdani.