Date: 16/05/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Fundraising dinner of the Education Trust
ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, JACOB ZUMA, AT EDUCATION TRUST FUNDRAISING DINNER, Empangeni, 16 May 2003
The MEC for Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize;
Absa Group Executive Director, Ms Santi Botha;
Captains of Industry;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let me begin by thanking Absa for organising this splendid event for us, where we come together to lend a hand of support to children in need of education.
I must also thank all of you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here this evening, as it indicates that you care about the education of our children and are willing to invest in the human resource development of our country.
As most of you are aware, the Jacob Zuma RDP Educational Trust Fund was launched out of a R500 000 seed capital which had been given to me, as MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism in this province, to support any RDP project of my choice.
The same amount was given to all members of the KZN Cabinet from the RDP discretionary fund. Each one of us had to use our discretion with regard to projects to the people and areas of our choice. I chose to invest in education by establishing this trust.
The gap in resources between rural and urban communities and the lack of facilities in rural areas convinced me that a certain percentage of this fund would have to be used in the rural areas.
Added to the well-known chasm between urban and rural areas, and apartheid educational backlogs, was the challenge of orphans, due to the violence and faction fighting that had claimed many lives in KwaZulu-Natal, and later on, the impact of the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
We therefore saw a need for a project of this nature, to give disadvantaged children a chance in life.
Our objectives also include generating interest in investing in the development of the rural child between the private sector and other key stakeholders.
We also see a number of long-term spin offs for this project. We envisage that the graduates would not forsake their hometowns, and villages, and would contribute to the development of these villages and add to the task of improving the quality of life in rural areas.
We are also, in a small way, contributing to the bigger human resource development task facing our country. Skills development has been identified as one of the key intervention areas, given the development challenges we face as a country.
We are delighted to say that since its establishment, the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust Fund has created an opportunity for over three thousand children to get an education at school level, while about thirty students are expected to graduate from tertiary institutions at the end of this year.
Many of these students come from needy rural areas, with parents who cannot afford paying for their education, and some of them are orphans as a result of violence. Some of this violence was faction fighting.
Our ultimate goal has always been that we should, at least, assist 60 students per year at tertiary level, and we hope this figure can go up so that more children get the opportunity.
The Trust also sent four students from disadvantaged backgrounds to Pakistan in 2001, where they studied information technology.
We intend sending another group when the current one returns, since information technology is a very important component of our economic development strategy as a country.
At tertiary level, we give preference to students studying in fields that underpin development objectives, such as science, engineering, community development, information technology, health, tourism, urban and regional planning.
The Trust has also been able to raise funds for a community resource centre at Ntolwane High School in Nkandla, where students and the community now have access to information.
Our guiding philosophy is that with an education, our youth can be able to contribute meaningfully towards the economy and the general improvement of the quality of life of our people.
Program Director, the wonderful work that this trust has done would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of our trustees who continue to volunteer their time to help.
I must thank the Trust chairperson, Dr Frank Mdlalose, and trustees, Ms Zandile Mdhladhla, Ms Annamia Main, Ms Nana Ngobese, Mr Protus Madlala, Mr Sizwe Shezi and Ms Marti Prinsloo of the Absa Trust.
Our call to the private sector is that let us join hands in pushing back the frontiers of poverty by educating our nation. I therefore thank Absa, which, as a managing partner, is responsible for all legal and investment matters as well as the administration of the Trust.
I must also once again commend Absa on actively contributing in the fight against HIV/AIDS and alleviation of suffering caused by this epidemic.
Distinguished guests, let me remind you that this Sunday, South Africa will join 85 other countries in the world to mark International Candlelight Memorial Day.
This day is dedicated to remember those who have died as a result of AIDS related illnesses, to support those infected and affected by the disease, and to raise awareness.
I would therefore like to appeal to you to mark this day at home by lighting a candle, and also, to continue the fight against the disease.
Let us all join hands to fight the stigma attached to the disease, and also play our role in caring and supporting those living with the disease, their families and orphans of AIDS, as you are doing tonight.
There is a lot that we can do, including supporting home-based care initiatives, assisting at hospices and generally conducting awareness programmes at home, at work, our places of worship and spreading the message particularly to the young. If we all work together, we can make a difference.
Once again, ladies and gentlemen, we are truly touched by your assistance and generosity this evening. It gives us strength to continue even with more vigour, with the task of working for a better life for all.
I thank you!
Issued by The Presidency
16 May 2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Fundraising dinner of the Education Trust
ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, JACOB ZUMA, AT EDUCATION TRUST FUNDRAISING DINNER, Empangeni, 16 May 2003
The MEC for Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize;
Absa Group Executive Director, Ms Santi Botha;
Captains of Industry;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let me begin by thanking Absa for organising this splendid event for us, where we come together to lend a hand of support to children in need of education.
I must also thank all of you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here this evening, as it indicates that you care about the education of our children and are willing to invest in the human resource development of our country.
As most of you are aware, the Jacob Zuma RDP Educational Trust Fund was launched out of a R500 000 seed capital which had been given to me, as MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism in this province, to support any RDP project of my choice.
The same amount was given to all members of the KZN Cabinet from the RDP discretionary fund. Each one of us had to use our discretion with regard to projects to the people and areas of our choice. I chose to invest in education by establishing this trust.
The gap in resources between rural and urban communities and the lack of facilities in rural areas convinced me that a certain percentage of this fund would have to be used in the rural areas.
Added to the well-known chasm between urban and rural areas, and apartheid educational backlogs, was the challenge of orphans, due to the violence and faction fighting that had claimed many lives in KwaZulu-Natal, and later on, the impact of the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
We therefore saw a need for a project of this nature, to give disadvantaged children a chance in life.
Our objectives also include generating interest in investing in the development of the rural child between the private sector and other key stakeholders.
We also see a number of long-term spin offs for this project. We envisage that the graduates would not forsake their hometowns, and villages, and would contribute to the development of these villages and add to the task of improving the quality of life in rural areas.
We are also, in a small way, contributing to the bigger human resource development task facing our country. Skills development has been identified as one of the key intervention areas, given the development challenges we face as a country.
We are delighted to say that since its establishment, the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust Fund has created an opportunity for over three thousand children to get an education at school level, while about thirty students are expected to graduate from tertiary institutions at the end of this year.
Many of these students come from needy rural areas, with parents who cannot afford paying for their education, and some of them are orphans as a result of violence. Some of this violence was faction fighting.
Our ultimate goal has always been that we should, at least, assist 60 students per year at tertiary level, and we hope this figure can go up so that more children get the opportunity.
The Trust also sent four students from disadvantaged backgrounds to Pakistan in 2001, where they studied information technology.
We intend sending another group when the current one returns, since information technology is a very important component of our economic development strategy as a country.
At tertiary level, we give preference to students studying in fields that underpin development objectives, such as science, engineering, community development, information technology, health, tourism, urban and regional planning.
The Trust has also been able to raise funds for a community resource centre at Ntolwane High School in Nkandla, where students and the community now have access to information.
Our guiding philosophy is that with an education, our youth can be able to contribute meaningfully towards the economy and the general improvement of the quality of life of our people.
Program Director, the wonderful work that this trust has done would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of our trustees who continue to volunteer their time to help.
I must thank the Trust chairperson, Dr Frank Mdlalose, and trustees, Ms Zandile Mdhladhla, Ms Annamia Main, Ms Nana Ngobese, Mr Protus Madlala, Mr Sizwe Shezi and Ms Marti Prinsloo of the Absa Trust.
Our call to the private sector is that let us join hands in pushing back the frontiers of poverty by educating our nation. I therefore thank Absa, which, as a managing partner, is responsible for all legal and investment matters as well as the administration of the Trust.
I must also once again commend Absa on actively contributing in the fight against HIV/AIDS and alleviation of suffering caused by this epidemic.
Distinguished guests, let me remind you that this Sunday, South Africa will join 85 other countries in the world to mark International Candlelight Memorial Day.
This day is dedicated to remember those who have died as a result of AIDS related illnesses, to support those infected and affected by the disease, and to raise awareness.
I would therefore like to appeal to you to mark this day at home by lighting a candle, and also, to continue the fight against the disease.
Let us all join hands to fight the stigma attached to the disease, and also play our role in caring and supporting those living with the disease, their families and orphans of AIDS, as you are doing tonight.
There is a lot that we can do, including supporting home-based care initiatives, assisting at hospices and generally conducting awareness programmes at home, at work, our places of worship and spreading the message particularly to the young. If we all work together, we can make a difference.
Once again, ladies and gentlemen, we are truly touched by your assistance and generosity this evening. It gives us strength to continue even with more vigour, with the task of working for a better life for all.
I thank you!
Issued by The Presidency
16 May 2003
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