Address by the Minister Angie Motshekga at the launch of the Tiger Brands Foundation in-school Breakfast Programme held at Deben Primary School, Northern Cape Province
Programme Director, Mr VJ Teise,
Representative from the office of the Head of Education Department, Mr GT Pharasi;
Chief Executive Officer of Acciona Energy South Africa, Mr Rasael Esteban,
Chairperson of Board of Trustee, Dr Miriam Altman, Tiger Brands Foundation;
General Manager of Sishen Solar Facility, Mr M Pema,
Economic Development Manager of Acciona Energy, Ms M Mabilu,
Local Municipality Mayor, Ms D Moyo,
Local Councillor,
Principal of Deben Primary, Mr A Olyn;
SGB Chairperson and Members,
Senior officials of the National and Provincial Education Departments Educators, Parents, Learners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good Morning,
Dumelang botlhe.
It gives me great pleasure to be here today as we celebrate a great partnership between our Department and Tiger Brands Foundation.
Programme Director; before we proceed allow me; to convey our deepest condolences to the people of the Northern Cape following the sudden departure of the Education MEC Grizelda Boniwe Cjiekella-Lecholo.
The late MEC Cjiekella-Lecholo played a pivotal role during our struggle against the apartheid regime and in the continuous project to transform our country into a truly non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. In her, we had our brightest star. She was a stalwart in her own right, yet, she remained a true servant of the people.
MEC Grizelda Boniwe Cjiekella-Lecholo was not just another leader but a visionary whose passion for education knew no bounds. We have lost one of our own, a true daughter of the soil. As the Cjiekella-Lecholo family mourns her departure, they must know that deep down in our hearts we share their grief.
I was fortunate to have worked with the late MEC in the ANC Women’s League. She was a kind soul and truly a humble person. Above all, she was a mother, a teacher, a leader, a fighter and beyond everything she was a revolutionary par-excellence. She was an embodiment of hope and shining example that hard work and humility are best friends.
The basic education sector, the African National Congress Women’s League, and entire ANC family and people of the Northern Cape are today left poorer as Mme Cjiekella-Lecholo has departed. May her soul rest in eternal peace!
Programme Director; today’s event occurs less than a year since we celebrated a milestone i.e. the 20 Millionth Breakfast at the Maokeng Primary School, Waterberg District in Limpopo Province. Speaking at 20 Millionth Breakfast celebrations I said and I repeat today:
“We are more than just grateful but highly indebted to the men and women who conceptualised, planned and launched this programme. We also thank those who on daily basis manage it, thus ensuring its continued success. We could not have done it alone as government.”
One cannot overemphasise the importance of partnerships in education. Just yesterday I addressed the launch of the Volkswagen Community Trust Literacy Flagship Campaign. Its core output is promoting functional literacy in the first 10 years of a child’s life. Similarly, today’s launch of the Tiger Brands Foundation in-school Breakfast Programme targets young learners. Hence my belief that these partnerships in various aspects of the basic education sector underscore our contention that education is indeed a societal issue.
In one of his recent State of the Nation Address the President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Jacob Zuma said:
“Education is the ladder out of poverty”.
As the Department we’re proud to say this partnership has grown in leaps and bounds since its launch in March 2011. Today the TBF in-school breakfast programme is benefiting eight provinces to the value of R60 000 000, namely: (Gauteng, 14 schools; Eastern Cape, 28 schools; KwaZulu Natal, 4 schools; Limpopo, 5 schools; Mpumalanga, 3 schools; Western Cape, 7 schools; North West, 1 school and Free State, 1 school (winners of the 2013 and 2014 Best NSNP Awards emerged from NW and FS). In total the programme has benefited 63 schools with 41 246 learners, 1460 support staff and 221 Volunteer Food Handlers in 8 provinces. I am glad that today, we have reached the Northern Cape.
More than just providing breakfast and related services Tiger Brands Foundation has over the past three years sponsored the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Best NSNP School Competition with prizes to the tune of R450 000.
The collaboration between the DBE and the Tiger Brands Foundation showcases a successful model of public-private partnerships. In this regard, we are grateful that the Tiger Brands Foundation is more just a partner but a champion in this project as envisaged by their ability to secure funding from the corporate partner, the Sishen Solar Facility, so that TBF in-school breakfast programme has been extended to the Deben Primary School today. As we know Acciona Energy also sponsors the winter school hosted by Deben Primary School.
We also note with appreciation the contribution and participation of Sishen Solar Facility in this school.
Programme Director today’s launch is special in that event the school we are in was built by the private sector in response to the plea by the late former President Mr. Nelson Mandela. We are therefore glad that Madiba’s vision for this community to receive quality education continues to receive priority from this community and all our private sector partners.
I wish to acknowledge the contribution and commitment of the Provincial Education Department, Districts, local communities because without them we would not be able to meet our mandate.
I wish to thank the Tiger Brands Foundation for their vision. Hence today we can extend our gratitude to more corporate partners in Sishen Solar Facility and Acciona Energy. We thank you for working together with us and investing in the future of our country.
I wish to thank the principals and teachers present here today for their hard work and dedication in working tirelessly to improve the learners’ performance.
My special gratitude goes to the cookers and parents who dedicate their time and carry this important responsibility of preparing the best meals for our learners daily.
To all learners thank you for working so hard and good luck for your upcoming ANA and end-of-the-year examination. I hope you are all ready and will be on the lookout for the best results.
I thank you!
