Inkosi azwe lonke!

I also acknowledge the presence of the following people:
Inkosi Ngwenyathi Dumalisile
The father of Inkosi Dumalisile
The Programme Director
Prof. PV Ntintili
Traditional leaders
The Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Enver Surty
The MEC for Education and Training in the Eastern Cape, Mr Mandla Makupula
The District Mayor of Amathole District Municipality, Ms Nomasikizi Konza
The Mayor of the Mbashe Local Municipality, Monceba Mfeka
Representatives of TeachSA and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.

Bhotani mawethu!

It is an honour to be with you today.

The learners and the community are very fortunate to have the leadership of Inkosi Dumalisile, who is a visionary leader. Earlier this year, in February, he wrote to me asking for assistance with regard to schools in the area that do not facilities for teaching physics, biology and chemistry.

In the letter he also indicated that the Jingqi Traditional Council has adopted a 30 year Industrial Rural Development Programme, which is aimed at developing your area, and which has been embraced by various government departments. The Royal Council’s 30 year plan fits well with government’s five priorities, namely, education, health, rural development, the creation of decent jobs and fighting crime.

Your Royal Council has a vision to transform the eight schools in your area into excellent performers. As government, parents, teachers and learners we need to work hard to assist in achieving this goal.

In support of the efforts by Inkosi Dumalisile, the Department of Science and Technology, through its Science and Youth unit, will today hand over eight mobile laboratories to assist with science lessons.

Each of these trolleys is equipped with apparatus and other relevant items that will enable the schools to access 64 physical science experiments.

The Department of Science and Technology will also provide 200 scientific calculators to learners at the eight schools in the area.

We know that there is a shortage of skilled teachers for subjects such as Mathematics, Biology and Physics at the schools requiring assistance. My department has therefore had discussions with non-governmental organisations such as TeachSA, who are keen to assist in the schools in the area by providing teachers in these gateway subjects.

My officials will soon finalise arrangements with TeachSA and report back to the Inkosi on how the roll-out will be managed.

I have been informed that teachers at Willowvale High School have also indicated their willingness to assist schools in this area.

I thank you. Ndiyabulela.