The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kiviet has urged government and business leaders to assure “our great statesman” that they will continue to work tirelessly, more than 67 minutes of every day to make sure that the children of his home province, the Eastern Cape, get a better education. Premier Kiviet was addressing a Mandela Day event at Clarkebury Secondary School at Engcobo (in the Eastern Cape). “Unless we invest in the education of our children especially the ones from poor communities, we will be failing Tata Madiba and other past leaders who made supreme sacrifices for the freedom and democracy we are enjoying today. Through education we can ensure that their ideal of a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa is achieved.”

She told the gathering which included Minister of Basic Education Ms Angie Motshekga and Minister of Communication Dina Pule that education can open doors for the poorest of the poor to a brighter future. “Many of our people, especially the elderly live in poverty and are unemployed. Every month they spend their government social security monies to send their grandchildren to school. This, they do with the hope that their children may one day get quality education that will propel them to a life out of poverty.”

She urged learners at the school to work “really hard” in the next three months to ensure that they achieve good results at the end of the year. “Working together with your teachers you should attend morning, afternoon and Saturday classes which are designed to assist you improve in your subjects. That is the present I want you to give to Tata at the end of the year – good results.