Address delivered by Minister Angie Motshekga, at the 4th Annual Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation (SATO) Games
Mr Mugwena Maluleke – General Secretary of SADTU,
Executive Members of Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation (SATO),
National Executive Members of SADTU,
Members of SATO and SADTU,
Members of the eThekwini Region – SADTU,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the public,
Teachers.
Thank you for inviting me to these 4th Annual Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation (SATO) Games.
It gives me a great pleasure to officially welcome all the teachers from the participating SADC to these important Games.
We as the Department of Basic Education place a premium on the value of our teachers. We believe that teachers are a heartbeat of a functioning school system. It is often said that the quality of education cannot exceed that of its teachers.
We cannot expect teachers to promote quality learning and teaching alone. Hence our contention that education is a societal issue. Through your participation in sport, you are ensuring that you practice living a healthy lifestyle and are exemplary to our learners.
Participation in sport has many important benefits. Sport can unite people, build families, encourage communities and allow for such a positive mass gathering. Physical exercise is good for the balance between the mind, body and spirit.
Furthermore, team sports are good platforms for learning accountability, dedication and leadership, among many other traits. Putting it all together by playing sport is a winning combination. These particular games provide an opportunity for teachers across the SADC region to gather and celebrate their profession through solidarity sports and cultural exchange programs and functions.
Different cultures have their own ways of behaviour. People from different cultural backgrounds may have very different beliefs, religions, customs and habits. Ignorance of culture differences often causes misunderstanding, offense, or embarrassment in cross-cultural communication. This collaboration culminating in these games assists in the development of a cross-cultural perspective leading to the avoidance of misunderstanding or giving unnecessary offense.
It is on that premise that we as the South African Government recognise and appreciate this collaboration between the different teacher union formations in the region.
I thank the SATO leadership heartily for giving us this opportunity to be part of these games. We appreciate the spirit of comradeship, and cordial manner that you received us. On behalf of the South African Government, the Ministry and the Department, I wish you well in your games.
