Date: 28/07/2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Balindlela: Opening of Rafuza Mntuyedwa Senior Primary School


  Speech delivered by the Eastern Cape Premier, Ms Nosimo Balindlela, at the official opening of the Rafuza Mntuyedwa Senior Primary School in Umthatha

Programme Director
Senior Education Officials
Representatives of the Sponsor Company known as Mr Bread
Parents
Principals and educators
Learners

I am thrilled as I stand before you today. Education is my passion because that is where the future of the country is carved. This is where we build the human resource, the leaders and the economy of our land. It reminds of my days as a teacher, how I and other teachers toiled so that others would benefit. The journey of a thousand mile begins with one step.

This school is as a result of public private partnership that began with the thought and an inspiration. The late Rafuza Mntuyedwa, the first person to build in this area, wished that one day there would be a school where not only his children but others would learn.

As a government we began working together with the company known as Mr Bread, to conceptualise and build the school, starting only with two classes in 1998. This is a clear indication of what can come out if we stand together as united we stand but divided we fall. This is a true partnership and shows true patriotism by this company and I want to thank them profusely for working with us to achieve the goals we set ourselves in our 10-year plan we call the Provincial Growth and Development Plan. For this school they have done the following:

* built four classroom, office and staff room
* furnished the school
* fenced the school and supplied them with a computer
* planted trees right around the school
* built a dam and two water tanks
* supplied the school with six toilets.

Without education the future of our country is doomed. It is the duty of the Eastern Cape government, the Education Department, of parents as well as learners to look after this school and its furniture. We have a responsibility as communities to protect what is ours and not allow school furniture to be stolen and vandalised. It is the duty of you learners to listen to your teachers, to love your school, to take part in every activity of the school. It is the duty of all of us to protect our children against the use of drugs and against HIV/AIDS.

The recent study released last week by the Human Research Council indicates that we still have a lot to do in terms of fine tuning and fully and effectively implementing the HIV/ADIS policy. We have a duty to teach our learners about this endemic. But we also have a duty not discriminate learners and teachers who suffer from it. The saying that, “my friend with AIDS is still my friend” should also continue to be applied in all situations whether that is my learner, my teacher, my parent etc. The good work that Mr Bread has started will remain a legacy that our province worked well with private partners. I challenge other businesses in our province to support education initiatives so that in this age of hope we will fight unemployment and crime together as they say, “a hungry stomach is an angry stomach”.

I challenge the youth to work harder than usual. Your future is in your hands. Come to school in time. Parents attend school meetings, work with your teachers and do not talk bad of your teachers in front of your children. Teachers should be exemplary to their learners, come to school in time and work hard so that you also will leave your footprints to be followed by the next generation. Let us produce in this school people who will come back after many years and say, “I thank the Rafuza Mntuyedwa School for making me what I am today”.

I have pleasure in officially opening the Rafuza Mntuyedwa Senior Primary School.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
28 July 2006