Date: 18/10/2003
Source: Deputy Ministry of Education
Title: Mangena: Opening ceremony of Mzimuhle Primary School, Soshanguve


ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF MZIMUHLE PRIMARY SCHOOL, Soshanguve, 18 October 2003

Programme Director, Superintendent General for Gauteng Department of Education, Mr Mallele Petje, District Director, Mr Moss Nkonyane, Chairperson of the SGB, Mr Theledi, Principal, Mrs S J Motau, Parents, Teachers, Learners, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

An opening of a school that triumphed against the odds, a school which begun with classes offered under trees, and has been moved from one venue to another, is always an edifying and inspiring experience. The history of this school symbolises the collective will of a people determined to succeed against the odds. The achievement of this community, in bringing to fruition its cherished dream of a modern primary school, epitomises the commitment and dedication that should be a trademark of every school, especially those that suffered under apartheid rule. We would like to salute and commend all who contributed to the development of this beautiful school, appropriately named Mzimuhle.

On such a special day it is necessary to also pay tribute to the past and present teachers and principals of the school who have, over all the years, selflessly and conscientiously contributed to the noble task of educating the children of this area. The result of these sacrifices will ultimately be seen in the future successes of the learners, and the ways in which the school has impacted on the lives of the people of this community.

I was intrigued by the school's motto, which is: "Education is the key to the future". There is a bright, prosperous and peaceful future, but there is also a gloomy and bleak future. Today I would like to challenge you, the Mzimuhle Primary School community, to choose the type of education you want for your children, make it your dream and immerse yourselves into all the activities that would make that dream a reality. As you prepare yourselves for this noble quest, it may be worth your while to bear in mind the instructive words of Myles Munroe when he says:

Though it may surprise you, the richest deposits on your planet rest in your local cemetery or graveyard. Buried beneath the soil within the walls of those sacred grounds are dreams that never came to pass, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, paintings that never filled the canvas, ideas that were never shared, visions that never became reality, inventions that were never designed, plans that never went beyond the drawing board of the mind and purposes that were never fulfilled.

The raw materials with which the teachers work are the minds and emotions of their learners. These are the most complex, difficult, treacherous and fascinating materials to work with. As you try to mould these children's minds and attitudes through the type of knowledge and information you may think is best suited for that purpose, you are completely powerless to prevent other ideas, which have an entirely different focus and inclination, from developing in your prot