Remarks by the Hon. Premier R.M. Mtshweni-Tsipane on the occasion of the official handover of Mogalitwa Primary School

25 April 2024

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
I BRING WITH ME WARM GREETINGS FROM OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO ALL OUR DIGNITARIES WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR TIME SO THAT THEY CAN BE WITH US HERE TODAY
I AM NOT ALONE I HAVE WITH ME THE MEC OF EDUCATION NTATE MAJUBA,
MY OTHER COLLEGUES IN THE EXECUTIVE
MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES
OUR EXECUTIVE MAYORS AND
ALL COUNCILLORS IN OUR MIDST AND
OUR HOST THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT LED BY THE PRINCIPAL MS MADONSELA
THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY LED BY THE CHAIRPERSON MR KGAGARA
AND MY SPECIAL GREETINGS TO OUR SPECIAL GUESTS THE SCHOOL LEARNERS OF MOGALITWA PRIMARY SCHOOL
THEIR PARENTS AND
THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

1. It was our struggle icon Ntate Nelso Mandela who summed up the importance of education when he said and I quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”


2. What our revered leader and the first President of a democratic South Africa was saying is that education is the key that opens doors to endless opportunities. Education is about learning to read, to write, to count and to understand complex issues.


3. But it does not end there, education is about gaining knowledge and the skills needed to become a better person and create a better society. As an individual education allows you to grow personally, professionally and also socially.


4. It is one thing that no one can take away or steal from you. As the saying by one Maimonides goes and I quote “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”


5. Amongst many reasons why education is important;
   
   • Education helps a person hone their communication skills by learning how to read, write, speak and listen.
   • Education develops critical thinking. This is vital in teaching a person how to use logic when making decisions and interacting with people
   • Education helps an individual meet basic job qualifications and makes them more likely to secure better jobs
   • Education promotes gender equality and helps empower girls and women.


6. The two biggest items in terms our budget spending as an ANC led provincial government are Healthcare and Education. We are investing billions of rands every year in education so that our people can have a better future. Educated people make new discoveries through research and practices.


7. We have placed more emphasis on early childhood education since this is the foundation phase of a child which offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the growth path of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. This is one area which I think the department will need to come closer and assist Mogalitwa where there are challenges and gaps that need to be filled.


8. For children to achieve their full potential they need a sense of security, protection from harm, they need opportunities to early learning right through primary school, secondary and high school up to tertiary education. This is their human right which no adult should interfere with. We therefore make a clarion call for each and every one of us here today to fight gender based violence that is directed towards women and especially girl children.


9. Programme director Mogalitwa has a very rich history full of courage, hope and determination. It is encouraging to hear that Mogalitwa was started by a community that cherished learning and education, contributing from their own pockets and from donations by caring social partners to build a farm school so that their children can have an opportunity for a better future.


10. We are also grateful to the work of the school governing body that unlike some areas, they have been active in assisting the principal and staff to achieve their goals despite challenges with some resources.


11. We extend our sincere gratitude and we remain indebted to the Gateway church that donated infrastructure when the school was struggling with an enrolment of 250 learners in two classrooms where it was before relocation.


12. Programme director the religious bodies played a critical role in providing access to education to our forefathers when there was no education infrastructure for black people. A number of churches were used as classrooms during the week.


13. This is by no means a surprise to most of us who remember the history of our struggle for liberation. The ruling party that is leading government in this province and in the country was formed by among others religious leaders.


14. We therefore call upon our religious leaders to once more come closer to us and play a critical role in rebuilding and consolidating the gains that we have collectively made since the dawn of our democracy in 1994. We believe that together we can do more as government as civil society.


15. When Mogalitwa was relocated to Klarinet, we made a commitment that we will build more classrooms and other facilities so that we can create an enabling environment for learning and teaching to take place.


16. The new school has 23 classrooms, a Maths laboratory, a kitchen, a sick room, ablution facilities, it has running water, a staff room, print room, store room, admin office.


17. We are aware of some of the challenges that still exist and could impede the normal functioning of the school and we will gather resources and attend to them.


18. What we can say to the community of Klarinet is that this is your facility, this is your school, you must jealously look after it, protect and defend your children’s right to education and should not allow anyone to damage or destroy this facility. As an ANC led government we commit ourselves to continue supporting all your efforts to improve teaching and learning in this school.


19. We will also talk to our social partners in the private sector to lend their hand and assist where they can with what may still be required to make this school a better place to learn and to teach.


20. I thank you.

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