On the occasion of the Senior Manager's road-show - Education Department
20 August 2005

THANK YOU very much for affording us the opportunity to be part of this session. Discussions have ensured that we lay a solid foundation from which we can build this country. And so it is through regular interrogation of the issues and challenges that confront us that we will be able to overcome. Our education system is faced with major, complex challenges and it is critical for us to continuously engage in discussions, share ideas and experiences, for us to concretize the basis of building a powerful, empowering and winning education system. So thank you, more importantly, for having this session.

The MCLM is engaged in various programmes that a direct link with education department programmes. Our wish, which I know is also your wish, is to ensure that we create convergence of all these programmes such that we strengthen the overall effort and achieve maximum impact in our quest to deliver an appropriately and relevantly educated population. A number of objectives and programmes have been put in place, and I will like to briefly touch on them.

One objective has been to set up Youth Development programmes as a priority area so as to address youth-related issues, especially in the areas of training (skills development) and job creation. This programme tackled issues that relate to the education of youth on substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, crime and other related issues. It goes further to focus on the training of youth on Leadership, Project Management, Financial Management, Business Management and Communication. Another major focus here is ensuring that the need for technical skills is addressed. Welding, poultry, farming, cleaning and maintenance are some of the fields this programme covers. Gone are the days when young people were channeled only to a few, specific fields. This programme was designed with specific attention being paid to the needs of the economy of Mogale City.

Another objective that has a link to our education system here at Mogale City is the improvement of the quality of lives of all children in the city through a variety of programmes meant to protect the rights of children, improve the level of skills of parents and occupy children socially. This is important because educators need active participation from parents for all of us to produce responsible, empowered and productive young people. The focus here is the formation and training of L-PAC (Local Programme of Action for Children) Committees, the co-ordination of after-care classes for orphaned children, the exposure of children to various cultural and heritage backgrounds through the elderly, the celebration of Child Protection Week, training of parents in parenting skills, and general holiday programmes for children.

We have also developed objectives that have to do with cultivating a culture of life long learning and reading; raising awareness of library services in Mogale City; increasing access to library resources; and disseminating information on cultural, social and economic services in Mogale City. The programme seeks to liaise with teachers using the library for school projects in support of Outcome Based Education and target children in previously disadvantaged areas to encourage and assist in ensuring maximum usage of the relevant facilities.

Together, we have to ensure that Mogale City produces people that are appropriately positioned to take up the struggle for economic freedom whilst bringing back the socio-political obligations that are clearly missing today. With the local government elections coming up in a couple of months' time, we have take stock, consolidate the gains we have achieved so far, and work tirelessly to re-new the mandate for the continued betterment of our education system in particular, and of all lives in general. It is time for us to critically assess our successes and failures, with the view to improve delivery and to find innovative ways through which we educate our city. I would not be doing my job if I do not remind all of you that it is our duty to encourage everyone to register and vote for the continued betterment of all lives. The African National Congress owes its existence to the creation of a better life for all. It has and continues to pursue exactly that, and until that is achieved, we must proceed in our unshakable commitment to better people's lives.

It was Onkgopotse Abram Ramothibi Tiro who said: "Graduates are being called unto greater responsibilities in the history of our country…...What good is your education if it cannot help your country in her hour of need? It is meaningless if it is not linked to the entire continent of Africa". This is as valid and relevant as it was in 1974 when Tiro addressed a graduation ceremony at the former Turfloop University. Indeed, ours is a huge challenge. It is a challenge that requires total dedication and passion. It is also a challenge that we know is very much embraced in this district. All successful nations today are where they are because they have not faltered on relevantly and appropriately educating the entire nation. The vision in Mogale City is absolutely based on that philosophy and approach.

Ladies and Gentlemen thank you very much for taking the time to come today. Thank you very much for giving us your attention and for showing interest in the programmes that characterize our approach. We challenge you to engage us in shaping current and future programmes, for the struggle for total liberation in this country has always been about collectivity.

Thank you very much.