Ladies and gentlemen
My wonderful learners
Each one ! Teach one!
Programme director,
We are meeting here today towards the closer of the human rights month where President Zuma reminded all of us to equip ourselves with the contents of the Constitution of the Republic. President Zuma’s message was clear – for our democracy to thrive we need members of society who know and understand their human rights as stipulated in chapter two of the Constitution. Also we must understand that our Constitution provides for different roles of each arm of government, that is the Legislature responsible of making, public participation and law making; Executive implementation of legislation and Judiciary tasked with interpretation of law. Furthermore the Constitution provides for the establishment of Institution Supporting Constitutional Democracy.
Today we listen to Helen Zille referring to our fellow brothers and sisters as "Refugees" in our own country. Those that are Christians will know that the bible says, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8, 9. It is this reason that government is working hand in hand with the private sector to ensure that you access quality education and other services where ever you are so that the gains of the freedom that our fore fathers died and were detained for are not reversed. Tata Mandela our icon says "Discipline and education are the most powerful weapon to get liberation, . Let us therefore not disgrace what destroy he fought and stands for.
In the past few years government made mathematics and/or maths literacy compulsory in all public schools to ensure that we respond to skills challenges facing the country. When all learners take mathematics as a subject we prepare them to acquire higher quality education that will respond to demands of the knowledge economy. Today we are here with Telkom to help u make good career choices. Without mathematics and science it will be difficult for you to obtain a qualification which will enable you to work at Telkom or any telecoms company. Your career choice begins today , our countryand economy require people who have studied mathematics and science to pursue careers in engineering and related fields.
The responsibility of e-skilling our nations isn’t the responsibility of Government alone, private companies also have a critical role to play. Take advantage of what is demonstrated to you and continue to research your career choice during your school days.
My fellow brothers and sisters, It is common knowledge that for us as a nation that to master an e-skilled society we must get our education foundation phase to the correct path. In July 2011 during the Annual National Assessment of Numeracy and Literacy Skills, President Jacob Zuma urged all South Africans to work together in support of basic education, which is the future of our children that will lead us towards an e-skilled society.
With the proper foundation from our schooling system and the informaion at your disposal today, I have no doubt in my mind that the desired outcome of producing skilled, economically viable university graduates will be realised. These are graduates who will not only be job-seekers but entrepreneurs and innovators who will ensure that we realise the Department of Communications motto of “making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICT for socio-economic Development”.
Programme director,the Ministry of Communications established a new wave of positive change which recognises that despite our efforts in the past as a country we are slipping down the global e-readiness indicators. This is not because we have not been doing useful things; it just means that other countries are working harder than we are and this includes many countries that have less opportunities than we do.
So, if South Africa wants to be a serious part of the socio-economic fabric of the world going into the future, we have no choice but to seriously engage with the Information Society and the Knowledge-based economies. It is simply true that in going forward, without adequate appropriation of e-skills there can be no sustainable development and there can be no sustainable employment.
My little brothers and sisters, do yourselves a precious favour by ensuring that you arm yourselves with skills, knowledge and education so that tomorrow you can uplift your communities and yourselves to life and lead better life. Stay away from shebeens or taverns and drugs. Defend your future now, expose drug dealers. Only you are responsible for your life and I promise you, armed with education, no one will take it from you.
The fight against poverty and illiteracy begins with you. It is only through market relevant skills that economic freedom will be achieved. We are the future! No one can stop us!
I thank you
Keynote Address by the Deputy Minister of Communications Honourable Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, MP at Telkom Career Expo, Eastern Cape
