Date: 09/07/2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Mangena: SA Institute of Chartered Accountants' Business Development Workshop
VIDEO CONFERENCE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS' (SAICA) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP, P E Technikon, George Campus, 9 July 2003
Representatives from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, SAICA Accountancy Development Officer, Mr Xolile Kosi, Our Grade 12 learners, Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.
Provision of quality education is one of the most pressing challenges facing Africa today, and we in South Africa are no exception. If we are to carve a niche for ourselves in the highly competitive global economy, the mastery of mathematics, science, technology, accounting and economic sciences by a large number of learners in all our schools is a precondition we can simply not avoid.
You belong to a generation of youngsters that is growing up during one of the most difficult periods of recorded history. On the one hand, HIV and AIDS are threatening to swallow you up in the prime of your lives. On the other, the new information and technology-driven global economy is putting you at the risk of perpetual serfdom. You have only one chance of escape in your lifetime - education. You can either use it wisely or mess it up - the choice is entirely yours.
Treat with contempt those who say that education is useless because many graduates are roaming the streets without employment. Education teaches you to think and to do. Many graduates are not reaping the benefits of their education because of the incorrect career choices they made while they were at school.
To survive and thrive in the global economy requires people with astute entrepreneurial flair that is often sharpened by business education studies such as economics, accounting and mathematics. In order to realise sustainable economic growth, the country needs a sufficient pool of entrepreneurs that are not only able to spot economically viable opportunities, but are also able to manage and develop their business enterprises in such a way as to gain an edge over their global competitors. All of us are aware of the existing serious shortage of a highly skilled workforce within the country. However, in terms of black chartered accountants and actuaries the situation has reached crisis proportions. It is for this reason that this winter retreat, sponsored by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, that you are attending is so crucial in helping us to develop a critical mass of qualified people in the commercial disciplines.
The fields of specialisation in the areas of science, technology and commerce still hold definite promise for the youth of today. It is therefore vital for every learner to be equipped with sufficient entrepreneurial skills by the time she/he leaves school. We expect our schools to assist their learners to choose the subjects that would lay a good foundation for relevant and lucrative career choices. Schools are also expected to inculcate in their learners a culture of taking control and the desire to win. At the moment, however, by the time they graduate from school, only a few of our learners are adequately equipped with the correct skills and the urge to go out and get what they want.
In an endeavour to deliver an education system that prepares our youth for the challenges of the twenty first century, in 2001, we launched the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. This is known as the Dinaledi Project, whose motto is "Creating Tomorrow's Stars Today". The aim of the strategy is to encourage all our learners to choose Mathematics and Physical Science and to pass them well in higher grade. The emphasis is on mathematics because mathematics is a primary science through which all scientific knowledge is encoded. Peggy House defines it succinctly as a precise and specialised language containing a unique system of symbols that condenses vast ideas to a dense, concise representation. We also attach equal importance to the learning of Management and Economic Sciences because the number of, particularly African chartered accountants and actuaries, is negligible in relation to the need for such skills in our country and continent. That is why all learners are now compelled to study all these crucial subjects up to Grade 9. We are about to introduce the new business, commerce and management subjects in the FET band as a part of the new National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12.
To all of you who have been selected by your schools to take part in this historic programme there in George, we wish to congratulate and commend you for your hard work and dedication. We hope that your participation in this programme will give you more insight into your chosen careers and the different options available to you to further your studies. We understand that this programme has been designed in such a way as to enrich you academically, socially, physically and emotionally. Allow me to mention but a few of the merits of this programme:
* To assist you in getting matriculation exemptions, especially in critical subjects such as mathematics, science and economic and management sciences;
* To expose you to the world of business, because this country is in dire need of accountants, in particular chartered accountants from black communities;
* To afford you an opportunity to interact with peers as well as members of universities in this region, hopefully this will prepare you on what to expect next year when you register at a university of your choice; and
* To expose you to promotional entrepreneurial flair which plays a very significant role in supporting a growing economy such as ours.
Dear learners, you must also understand that our country is beginning to be edged out of world markets by countries we once took for granted. The reason for this is that while South Africa is still among the better-developed countries in Africa, it continues to lag behind in its learner achievement in mathematics and science. This discrepancy in the performance of the majority of our learners is one of our major sources of concern.
We believe that the development and strengthening of the following characteristics in our students hold a promise of success for us as a country:
1. Self confidence
This is an important starting point because without self-confidence and positive self-concept, nothing worthwhile can be achieved. As a student you should believe in yourselves to learn Mathematics, Science and Commercial subjects and pass them well.
2. Communication
Communication refers to the ability to read, write, speak, think, demonstrate, and persuade with meaning and understanding. As a student you must learn to communicate ideas clearly and concisely. This makes it imperative for you to attain sufficient fluency in your language of instruction, which in our case is usually English.
3. Enthusiasm
If mathematics, science, economics, accounting and other related subjects are to become anything more than a necessary burden in order to pass, you must develop an enthusiasm for these subjects. This begins with the development of feelings of curiosity and drive to learn and know more about them. Enthusiastic individuals are able to anticipate new and unimagined futures, and believe that they too are able to shape their own futures and those of others.
4. Sticktoitiveness (pronounced: stick-to-itiveness)
This means the ability to stay on task and learn to grapple with and understand different ideas or difficult problems. This is how one develops mentally and emotionally.
We wish to commend and salute the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants for the role they are playing in improving the quality of our learner achievement in these gateway subjects. It is only by engaging and supporting our youth through such youth centred programmes and by sharing responsibilities for achieving successes and addressing setbacks that can enrich our community's most valuable asset - our people. This is how we can illicit everyone's commitment to create a better tomorrow for themselves and others. We thank you for believing in our children and our country.
To the dear learners, we want you to understand that your participation in this programme is intended to help you to create a new African future for all of us. Bear in mind that you are a part of the continent that must still liberate itself from the shackles of her history and legacy. We challenge you to make the best out of what you have. We wish you success.
From now on, learn as though your life depended on every piece of information you are receiving. As a country we depend on the continued cultivation of responsible and innovative human beings in order to survive. This enormous support you are getting from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants is meant to encourage and support you in your studies. Let us rid ourselves of the mentality that still believes that innovation and creativeness can only come from somewhere else called overseas. We are able to do it by ourselves.
I thank you.
Issue by Ministry of Education
9 July 2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Mangena: SA Institute of Chartered Accountants' Business Development Workshop
VIDEO CONFERENCE ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS' (SAICA) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP, P E Technikon, George Campus, 9 July 2003
Representatives from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, SAICA Accountancy Development Officer, Mr Xolile Kosi, Our Grade 12 learners, Ladies and Gentlemen, good evening.
Provision of quality education is one of the most pressing challenges facing Africa today, and we in South Africa are no exception. If we are to carve a niche for ourselves in the highly competitive global economy, the mastery of mathematics, science, technology, accounting and economic sciences by a large number of learners in all our schools is a precondition we can simply not avoid.
You belong to a generation of youngsters that is growing up during one of the most difficult periods of recorded history. On the one hand, HIV and AIDS are threatening to swallow you up in the prime of your lives. On the other, the new information and technology-driven global economy is putting you at the risk of perpetual serfdom. You have only one chance of escape in your lifetime - education. You can either use it wisely or mess it up - the choice is entirely yours.
Treat with contempt those who say that education is useless because many graduates are roaming the streets without employment. Education teaches you to think and to do. Many graduates are not reaping the benefits of their education because of the incorrect career choices they made while they were at school.
To survive and thrive in the global economy requires people with astute entrepreneurial flair that is often sharpened by business education studies such as economics, accounting and mathematics. In order to realise sustainable economic growth, the country needs a sufficient pool of entrepreneurs that are not only able to spot economically viable opportunities, but are also able to manage and develop their business enterprises in such a way as to gain an edge over their global competitors. All of us are aware of the existing serious shortage of a highly skilled workforce within the country. However, in terms of black chartered accountants and actuaries the situation has reached crisis proportions. It is for this reason that this winter retreat, sponsored by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, that you are attending is so crucial in helping us to develop a critical mass of qualified people in the commercial disciplines.
The fields of specialisation in the areas of science, technology and commerce still hold definite promise for the youth of today. It is therefore vital for every learner to be equipped with sufficient entrepreneurial skills by the time she/he leaves school. We expect our schools to assist their learners to choose the subjects that would lay a good foundation for relevant and lucrative career choices. Schools are also expected to inculcate in their learners a culture of taking control and the desire to win. At the moment, however, by the time they graduate from school, only a few of our learners are adequately equipped with the correct skills and the urge to go out and get what they want.
In an endeavour to deliver an education system that prepares our youth for the challenges of the twenty first century, in 2001, we launched the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. This is known as the Dinaledi Project, whose motto is "Creating Tomorrow's Stars Today". The aim of the strategy is to encourage all our learners to choose Mathematics and Physical Science and to pass them well in higher grade. The emphasis is on mathematics because mathematics is a primary science through which all scientific knowledge is encoded. Peggy House defines it succinctly as a precise and specialised language containing a unique system of symbols that condenses vast ideas to a dense, concise representation. We also attach equal importance to the learning of Management and Economic Sciences because the number of, particularly African chartered accountants and actuaries, is negligible in relation to the need for such skills in our country and continent. That is why all learners are now compelled to study all these crucial subjects up to Grade 9. We are about to introduce the new business, commerce and management subjects in the FET band as a part of the new National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12.
To all of you who have been selected by your schools to take part in this historic programme there in George, we wish to congratulate and commend you for your hard work and dedication. We hope that your participation in this programme will give you more insight into your chosen careers and the different options available to you to further your studies. We understand that this programme has been designed in such a way as to enrich you academically, socially, physically and emotionally. Allow me to mention but a few of the merits of this programme:
* To assist you in getting matriculation exemptions, especially in critical subjects such as mathematics, science and economic and management sciences;
* To expose you to the world of business, because this country is in dire need of accountants, in particular chartered accountants from black communities;
* To afford you an opportunity to interact with peers as well as members of universities in this region, hopefully this will prepare you on what to expect next year when you register at a university of your choice; and
* To expose you to promotional entrepreneurial flair which plays a very significant role in supporting a growing economy such as ours.
Dear learners, you must also understand that our country is beginning to be edged out of world markets by countries we once took for granted. The reason for this is that while South Africa is still among the better-developed countries in Africa, it continues to lag behind in its learner achievement in mathematics and science. This discrepancy in the performance of the majority of our learners is one of our major sources of concern.
We believe that the development and strengthening of the following characteristics in our students hold a promise of success for us as a country:
1. Self confidence
This is an important starting point because without self-confidence and positive self-concept, nothing worthwhile can be achieved. As a student you should believe in yourselves to learn Mathematics, Science and Commercial subjects and pass them well.
2. Communication
Communication refers to the ability to read, write, speak, think, demonstrate, and persuade with meaning and understanding. As a student you must learn to communicate ideas clearly and concisely. This makes it imperative for you to attain sufficient fluency in your language of instruction, which in our case is usually English.
3. Enthusiasm
If mathematics, science, economics, accounting and other related subjects are to become anything more than a necessary burden in order to pass, you must develop an enthusiasm for these subjects. This begins with the development of feelings of curiosity and drive to learn and know more about them. Enthusiastic individuals are able to anticipate new and unimagined futures, and believe that they too are able to shape their own futures and those of others.
4. Sticktoitiveness (pronounced: stick-to-itiveness)
This means the ability to stay on task and learn to grapple with and understand different ideas or difficult problems. This is how one develops mentally and emotionally.
We wish to commend and salute the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants for the role they are playing in improving the quality of our learner achievement in these gateway subjects. It is only by engaging and supporting our youth through such youth centred programmes and by sharing responsibilities for achieving successes and addressing setbacks that can enrich our community's most valuable asset - our people. This is how we can illicit everyone's commitment to create a better tomorrow for themselves and others. We thank you for believing in our children and our country.
To the dear learners, we want you to understand that your participation in this programme is intended to help you to create a new African future for all of us. Bear in mind that you are a part of the continent that must still liberate itself from the shackles of her history and legacy. We challenge you to make the best out of what you have. We wish you success.
From now on, learn as though your life depended on every piece of information you are receiving. As a country we depend on the continued cultivation of responsible and innovative human beings in order to survive. This enormous support you are getting from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants is meant to encourage and support you in your studies. Let us rid ourselves of the mentality that still believes that innovation and creativeness can only come from somewhere else called overseas. We are able to do it by ourselves.
I thank you.
Issue by Ministry of Education
9 July 2003
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