Issued by: Ministry of Education
15 May 1997
The bonds of friendship and solidarity between the British and South African people are to become much more stronger than ever under the new Labour Government. This became evident in my discussions with the new Secretary of State for International and Overseas Development, Ms Clair Short, at the House of Commons.
I am delighted to announce that her first decision, since her appointment to this important portfolio, was to approve a 7,5 million pounds Sterling Aid Project, to assist with Primary Education in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. This is a major contribution to our national human resource strategy, and a welcome assistance in view of the current budgetary constraints facing the education and training system in our country.
The project will focus on 500 schools in the most disadvantaged communities, with special emphasis on girls and the children of single-parent households. It will also provide teachers with training, give resources and facilities to schools and help all Eastern Cape schools to establish democratically elected governing bodies.
I am convinced that this project will give new hope, create new opportunities and a better possibility for prosperity to many young children, who would have otherwise been condemned to poverty and under-development.
It is also highly significant that Ms Short chose South African Primary Education as her first choice among many other deserving causes in the world. This huge investment in our future, is a clear demonstration of the Labour Government's confidence in ad support for, South Africa's future prosperity. We are indeed humbled by being the first to be seen by Britain as she looks out into the world with care and solidarity again I am positive that those Eastern Cape primary school children, will grow up to cherish and further strengthen the ties between our two countries.
I was also highly impressed by the Minister's approach to international and overseas development aid which seeks to prioritise and empower the most impoverished, neglected and marginalised societies in the world, by addressing poverty through strategically directed development programmes. We agreed to have further meetings in which we shall explore further areas of co-operations and mutual assistance in the fight against poverty.
I warmly congratulate the Premier of the Province Rev Stofile, the MEC for Education, Mrs Balindlela, the Head of Department, Dr Van Wyk and their colleagues in the Education Department for their sterling work under the most trying conditions. This will hopefully give them strength in the noble fight against poverty, ignorance and under-development in that province.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MR LINCOLN MALI AT 083 251 4044.