Date: 10/10/2003
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Padayachee: Mpumalanga teaching awards function


ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE MEC FOR EDUCATION, MR CNM PADAYACHEE, AT THE PROVINCIAL TEACHING AWARDS FUNCTION, Emnotweni Arena, 10 October 2003

Programme Director
Head of Department: Dr MT Mashinini
Departmental Officials
Adjudication and Panel Members - Educators
Educator Formations
Invited Guests
Media Representatives
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades
Ladies and gentlemen
I salute you.

I am overwhelmed with joy to be part of this historic function. I am particularly happy because we are gathered here to give recognition to our educators who are the pillars and the cornerstone of the noble profession.

We are here to say well done and thank you to all those dedicated men and women in the educator professional fraternity whose generous contributions are continuously shaping the destiny of our country.

It is almost ten years since we victoriously emerged from the most protracted struggles in pursuit of democracy, equality, peace and lasting social justice. It was a brutal and at the same time an honourable and noble struggle which South Africans sustained with dignity, pride and fortitude. We emerged victors in our struggle because of our unparalleled resilience and the desire to triumph as a nation.

What we inherited after our triumph, ladies and gentlemen, was an unparalleled education system that was characterised by inequities. Most of our educators were subjected to working under harsh and trying conditions, sometimes with little or no resources at all. Once more we emerged victorious. You (educators) against all odds withstood those trying conditions and continued to unreservedly and unselfishly render your services to the nation.

As we are gathered here today ladies and gentlemen, the country is faced with the struggle for socio-economic survival. Let us transform our classrooms into battle terrains for this onslaught for survival. As educators we have to decisively fight this battle with immeasurable discipline in order to successfully fulfil the dictates of our constitutional mandate. The contributions made by educators in the transformation agenda of our country cannot be underestimated and do not go unnoticed. The gains and achievements we have made up so far should deceive us into complacency. We need to intensify our fight against all forms of social ills such as illiteracy, child and woman abuse.

The transformation of our country will be far from over if the problem of illiteracy is not totally eradicated. We need educators of your commitment to ensure that citizens of this country, both young and old, are equal beneficiaries of our hard earned democracy. The spiralling wave of child and woman abuse in recent months has been a source for concern. Our contributions as educators in the fight against this inhumane act will surely make an untold difference.

This gathering here today constitutes a symbolic representation of the reality we are trying to accomplish for a better South Africa. Reconfiguring this gathering as a vehicle, we, therefore must ensure that we strive to create an ideal type of an educator who believes in the noble virtues of conscientiously hard work. An educator who believes in a set of work ethics, underpinned by diligence, commitment, discipline and a quest for excellence. Therefore, there is no known substitute for these value systems if the ultimate aim is to achieve high levels of distinction in one's career.

We no longer need to constantly crack a whip in order to induce hard work. Only the conscious creations of a new persona for an educator, which will, by conviction, treat every child as his biologically own, irrespective of the child's race or creed. It is our solemn duty to continuously strive toward unlocking and unleashing the creative and innovative potential of our learners.

Programme Director, this gathering should serve as a reminder that urgent, practical and creative ways and means need to be taken to rejuvenate the love for our profession and re-instil the pride thereof. I strongly believe in acknowledging good work through the existence and intrinsic rewarding systems. This enhances positive behavioural practices. Let us all sing in unison songs of praise for a job well done in the classroom. Let us sing songs of praise for the contributions we are making as leaders in our communities. Let us give recognition to those educators who are unselfishly confronting and dealing with the impact of substance abuse, crime and gangsterism in the school and in our communities.

This function today also constitutes one of the mechanisms towards the creation of conducive operational channels for the achievement of excellence through the delivery of quality services. We have to ensure that service delivery both inside and outside the classroom is effective, efficient and timeous. The impact of this approach has to have positive spin-offs for the educational well being of our learners.

I therefore say well done and congratulations for your remarkable achievements in your various categories.

Work harder and strive for more. Let us join hands in pushing back the frontiers of poverty thereby ensuring a better South Africa for all. Be assured of our support. Lest, I forget I want to once more wish you a happy evening of celebrations. Drive safely back home and arrive alive.

Before I sit down ladies and gentlemen I want to invite each one of you to go out there and assist in the voter identity document campaign. Let us ensure that our people register in their numbers for the forthcoming general elections. Get your identity document, register and be in line to cast your vote.

Obrigado.

Ngiyabonga.

Issued by: Department of Education, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
10 October 2003