Date: 09/10/2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Asmal: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School 10th anniversary celebration
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, MP AT THE NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA PRIMARY SCHOOL 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Etwatwa, Daveyton, Benoni, Thursday, 9 October 2003
Director of Ceremonies
The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metro,
Councillor Duma Nkosi
The Principal, Mr R Boodhram
The Deputy Principal, Mrs P Sekgobela
Officials of the Gauteng Department of Education Staff, parents and pupils of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School.
Molweni, Good Morning, Goeie More, Dumelang, Sanibonani
Let me take this opportunity to thank the parents, the principal and the staff of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School for inviting me to this historic event. It is, indeed, my pleasure to be associated with this new South African school, with its emphasis on the development of the community of Etwatwa.
Your 10th anniversary celebration comes on the eve of the country's "ten years of freedom" celebration in 2004. This is not an insignificant coincidence. Mr Mandela, after whom your school is named, belongs to a generation of leaders who led our people to the freedom we enjoy in our country today.
We should also remember that this school stands on the soil of Benoni where the late comrade and leader Oliver Reginald Tambo spent much of his time before going into exile. Therefore, the school faces the great challenge of living the legacy of Mr Mandela and Mr Tambo.
Today's event should be used to celebrate the partnership that exists between the community of Etwatwa, business and the Department of Education. This partnership seeks to enhance our ability to open the doors of learning to all our children, especially the poor.
I am informed that this school came about as the result of a community-driven initiative. Feeling the need for a brighter future for your children, you stood up and led the way. I want to commend you for that. This is a practical demonstration of the spirit of Vuk'uzenzele, which the Government wants to instil in all our people.
An occasion of this nature tells us that South Africa is indeed moving forward. As we draw closer to the tenth anniversary of our democracy, such an occasion serves as a build-up for us to start recalling where we come from as a community and as a nation. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School is a good example of the extraordinary achievements of ordinary South Africans. The fact that a poor community in an informal settlement started to think about the establishment of a school is enough proof that we are taking responsibility for our own advancement as a nation. The fact that you then did something about it, besides petitioning the government, is even more remarkable.
President Thabo Mbeki, speaking back in 1998, characterised the African Renaissance as the reconstruction and development of the continent of Africa. Our own reconstruction and development programme insisted that this should be a people-driven process, drawing on the capacities of all our citizens. Ten years ago the community of Etwatwa took the responsibility to determine the destiny of their children, and confronted the challenge of a lack of educational facilities in the area. So today we are celebrating the efforts of our own people, freed from oppression, and able to make the future for themselves.
The success we are celebrating today is owed to many men and women of courage. The motto of the school says it all: "The initiative of the people of Etwatwa, by the people of Etwatwa, for the empowerment of the people of Etwatwa". I salute the management and staff of SA Perm for their contribution to the school, and hope that other companies will come on board, and realise the need for investing in the future of our country through education.
The school represents the vision of the community of Etwatwa and its strong desire to enhance the promotion of the values of the community. So today we are not just celebrating the day on which this school was built, but we are also rejoicing in the success of this community in sending an educational and a cultural message to the future leaders of our country - a message that encourages collective action among our people.
In the early to the mid-1990s, we witnessed the departure of many students from historically disadvantaged communities, from township schools to the former Model C schools in the city, leaving some of our schools in the townships half empty. I am pleased to say that we have not only stemmed the tide, but we have begun to reverse the trend. Many township schools are becoming centres of excellence, providing quality education to our children. The fact that Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School boasts an enrolment of 1300 learners is proof that it is a site of excellence, of competence, and of delivery.
I am also pleased to note that the success of this school is not only in providing formal school education. The school is also involved in transformation initiatives like providing Adult Basic Education, and serving as a community centre, where various development activities take place. We are therefore celebrating community service at its best.
The mission of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School to develop the community as a whole illustrates that our schooling system is no longer a brutal instrument of oppression against the intellect and the aspirations of our people as it used to be in the past. This school provides a good example of a commitment to the new struggle for total liberation, including the liberation of the mind. It is a struggle through which many of our young people and future leaders are learning the real meanings of freedom and justice.
The highlight of this occasion will be the unveiling of the statue of Mr Mandela. The significance of this statue lies in what Mr Mandela has always said that "there is no easy way" to success. Hard work, selflessness, integrity and commitment - all the characteristics of Mr Mandela - are the key elements for achieving success. The statue will make the school a centre of attraction for local and foreign visitors. The statue will give the name of the school a practical meaning, and instil pride in the many stakeholders who have an interest in the advancement of the people of Etwatwa and the country at large.
The statue symbolises the ever-presence of Mr Mandela and all our leaders among our people. It is this humility and availability of our leaders that we should all emulate. We should always be there for our fellow citizens and serve our country selflessly. The statue should also remind students that they are leaders in the making, and should thus act responsibly. Such is the message that the children of Etwatwa should get as they go past the statue of Mr Mandela on a daily basis.
The statue should also remind our teachers that they have a critical task in leading this nation towards integrity, honesty and commitment. We have just celebrated World Teachers' Day on 5 October. On this day the public commended teachers for their work, and teachers renewed their commitment to serve our communities.
The statue should also remind the management of this school that education is a constitutional right, and not a privilege for the few. We are pursuing a better life for all, not just for some. Finally this statue should always remind the business sector that transformation is dependent upon a shared vision and a partnership to pursue that vision.
The goals that Mr Mandela continues to fight for are the goals which my department is pursuing. For example, the Department is working hard to remove all the barriers that deny our children access to education, and to develop a truly inclusive system of education. These barriers include learning problems, which are largely social in nature, with poverty being the major one. Poverty is compounded by high school fees and the high costs of school uniforms and transport. Recently, we adopted a Plan of Action to improve access to free basic education for all. The Plan of Action aims to ensure that the poorest learner gets an equal opportunity to learn anywhere in the country.
Next year, we shall be implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement Grades R-9. This is part of our efforts to provide quality and relevant education to all our students. The curriculum is an instrument of transformation, and is built on the foundation of social justice, human rights, a healthy environment and inclusivity. I urge the community, together with the District, to support our teachers as they implement the curriculum in the Foundation Phase next year.
Our commitment to human rights is further illustrated by the launch of the Policy on Religion and Education on 9 September this year. The policy is a recognition of the rich and diverse religious heritage of our country, and is intended to protect young people from discrimination based on religion. The policy will benefit our children at school by re-shaping the relationship between religion and education in a manner that is in accordance with the values of the Constitution.
The Department of Education has also developed an interim Policy on Early Childhood Development. My officials and I recognise the critical importance of early childhood development as a fundamental pillar of lifelong learning. This policy extends our commitment to quality basic education for our children prior to their entry into formal schooling. We hope to target the provision of early childhood development to the poorest areas.
I would like to conclude by wishing the community, the parents, students and teachers of this school even greater success in their partnership for transformation through education. I hope that everyone involved in activities of the school will work very hard and respect, in word and in deed, the legendary figure after whom the school is named. It would be highly inappropriate for a school with this great name to become a school of shame and failure. We must strive to bring only credit to the good name of Mr Mandela, and to build on the fine inheritance he has given to this country.
I thank you all, and wish you well for the next ten years.
Ngiyabonga
Ke a leboga
Dankie
Issued by: Ministry of Education
9 October 2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Asmal: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School 10th anniversary celebration
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, MP AT THE NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA PRIMARY SCHOOL 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, Etwatwa, Daveyton, Benoni, Thursday, 9 October 2003
Director of Ceremonies
The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metro,
Councillor Duma Nkosi
The Principal, Mr R Boodhram
The Deputy Principal, Mrs P Sekgobela
Officials of the Gauteng Department of Education Staff, parents and pupils of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School.
Molweni, Good Morning, Goeie More, Dumelang, Sanibonani
Let me take this opportunity to thank the parents, the principal and the staff of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School for inviting me to this historic event. It is, indeed, my pleasure to be associated with this new South African school, with its emphasis on the development of the community of Etwatwa.
Your 10th anniversary celebration comes on the eve of the country's "ten years of freedom" celebration in 2004. This is not an insignificant coincidence. Mr Mandela, after whom your school is named, belongs to a generation of leaders who led our people to the freedom we enjoy in our country today.
We should also remember that this school stands on the soil of Benoni where the late comrade and leader Oliver Reginald Tambo spent much of his time before going into exile. Therefore, the school faces the great challenge of living the legacy of Mr Mandela and Mr Tambo.
Today's event should be used to celebrate the partnership that exists between the community of Etwatwa, business and the Department of Education. This partnership seeks to enhance our ability to open the doors of learning to all our children, especially the poor.
I am informed that this school came about as the result of a community-driven initiative. Feeling the need for a brighter future for your children, you stood up and led the way. I want to commend you for that. This is a practical demonstration of the spirit of Vuk'uzenzele, which the Government wants to instil in all our people.
An occasion of this nature tells us that South Africa is indeed moving forward. As we draw closer to the tenth anniversary of our democracy, such an occasion serves as a build-up for us to start recalling where we come from as a community and as a nation. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School is a good example of the extraordinary achievements of ordinary South Africans. The fact that a poor community in an informal settlement started to think about the establishment of a school is enough proof that we are taking responsibility for our own advancement as a nation. The fact that you then did something about it, besides petitioning the government, is even more remarkable.
President Thabo Mbeki, speaking back in 1998, characterised the African Renaissance as the reconstruction and development of the continent of Africa. Our own reconstruction and development programme insisted that this should be a people-driven process, drawing on the capacities of all our citizens. Ten years ago the community of Etwatwa took the responsibility to determine the destiny of their children, and confronted the challenge of a lack of educational facilities in the area. So today we are celebrating the efforts of our own people, freed from oppression, and able to make the future for themselves.
The success we are celebrating today is owed to many men and women of courage. The motto of the school says it all: "The initiative of the people of Etwatwa, by the people of Etwatwa, for the empowerment of the people of Etwatwa". I salute the management and staff of SA Perm for their contribution to the school, and hope that other companies will come on board, and realise the need for investing in the future of our country through education.
The school represents the vision of the community of Etwatwa and its strong desire to enhance the promotion of the values of the community. So today we are not just celebrating the day on which this school was built, but we are also rejoicing in the success of this community in sending an educational and a cultural message to the future leaders of our country - a message that encourages collective action among our people.
In the early to the mid-1990s, we witnessed the departure of many students from historically disadvantaged communities, from township schools to the former Model C schools in the city, leaving some of our schools in the townships half empty. I am pleased to say that we have not only stemmed the tide, but we have begun to reverse the trend. Many township schools are becoming centres of excellence, providing quality education to our children. The fact that Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School boasts an enrolment of 1300 learners is proof that it is a site of excellence, of competence, and of delivery.
I am also pleased to note that the success of this school is not only in providing formal school education. The school is also involved in transformation initiatives like providing Adult Basic Education, and serving as a community centre, where various development activities take place. We are therefore celebrating community service at its best.
The mission of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Primary School to develop the community as a whole illustrates that our schooling system is no longer a brutal instrument of oppression against the intellect and the aspirations of our people as it used to be in the past. This school provides a good example of a commitment to the new struggle for total liberation, including the liberation of the mind. It is a struggle through which many of our young people and future leaders are learning the real meanings of freedom and justice.
The highlight of this occasion will be the unveiling of the statue of Mr Mandela. The significance of this statue lies in what Mr Mandela has always said that "there is no easy way" to success. Hard work, selflessness, integrity and commitment - all the characteristics of Mr Mandela - are the key elements for achieving success. The statue will make the school a centre of attraction for local and foreign visitors. The statue will give the name of the school a practical meaning, and instil pride in the many stakeholders who have an interest in the advancement of the people of Etwatwa and the country at large.
The statue symbolises the ever-presence of Mr Mandela and all our leaders among our people. It is this humility and availability of our leaders that we should all emulate. We should always be there for our fellow citizens and serve our country selflessly. The statue should also remind students that they are leaders in the making, and should thus act responsibly. Such is the message that the children of Etwatwa should get as they go past the statue of Mr Mandela on a daily basis.
The statue should also remind our teachers that they have a critical task in leading this nation towards integrity, honesty and commitment. We have just celebrated World Teachers' Day on 5 October. On this day the public commended teachers for their work, and teachers renewed their commitment to serve our communities.
The statue should also remind the management of this school that education is a constitutional right, and not a privilege for the few. We are pursuing a better life for all, not just for some. Finally this statue should always remind the business sector that transformation is dependent upon a shared vision and a partnership to pursue that vision.
The goals that Mr Mandela continues to fight for are the goals which my department is pursuing. For example, the Department is working hard to remove all the barriers that deny our children access to education, and to develop a truly inclusive system of education. These barriers include learning problems, which are largely social in nature, with poverty being the major one. Poverty is compounded by high school fees and the high costs of school uniforms and transport. Recently, we adopted a Plan of Action to improve access to free basic education for all. The Plan of Action aims to ensure that the poorest learner gets an equal opportunity to learn anywhere in the country.
Next year, we shall be implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement Grades R-9. This is part of our efforts to provide quality and relevant education to all our students. The curriculum is an instrument of transformation, and is built on the foundation of social justice, human rights, a healthy environment and inclusivity. I urge the community, together with the District, to support our teachers as they implement the curriculum in the Foundation Phase next year.
Our commitment to human rights is further illustrated by the launch of the Policy on Religion and Education on 9 September this year. The policy is a recognition of the rich and diverse religious heritage of our country, and is intended to protect young people from discrimination based on religion. The policy will benefit our children at school by re-shaping the relationship between religion and education in a manner that is in accordance with the values of the Constitution.
The Department of Education has also developed an interim Policy on Early Childhood Development. My officials and I recognise the critical importance of early childhood development as a fundamental pillar of lifelong learning. This policy extends our commitment to quality basic education for our children prior to their entry into formal schooling. We hope to target the provision of early childhood development to the poorest areas.
I would like to conclude by wishing the community, the parents, students and teachers of this school even greater success in their partnership for transformation through education. I hope that everyone involved in activities of the school will work very hard and respect, in word and in deed, the legendary figure after whom the school is named. It would be highly inappropriate for a school with this great name to become a school of shame and failure. We must strive to bring only credit to the good name of Mr Mandela, and to build on the fine inheritance he has given to this country.
I thank you all, and wish you well for the next ten years.
Ngiyabonga
Ke a leboga
Dankie
Issued by: Ministry of Education
9 October 2003
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