Honourable Speaker Mahumapelo,
Honourable Premier Thandi Modise,
Honourable Members of the Executive Council,
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature,
Maaparankwe a gaetsho,
Organised labour movement,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Allow me to quote from Julius Caesar: William Shakespeare at the time when Julius Caesar received warnings including from his wife about what may befall him in future:
Calphurnia: When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes
Caesar: Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never tastes of death but once, Of all the wonders that I yet have heard; It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death a necessary end, Will come when it come.
I would like to dedicate this message to teachers and office based staff in the department that when people who are less committed to their work intend leaving their institutions, learners and communities take less notice or rejoice. When hard working, diligent and committed public servants leave schools and posts, learners and clients mourn their departure because they yearn for continuation of the service of those public servants. This is the gist of Calphurnia’s message.
Courageous, diligent and creative people never doubt the impact they can make in others peoples’ lives because they cannot be defeated by cowardice or procrastination. This is the lesson from Julius Caesar’s response, “cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never tastes of death but once”.
Full Speech [PDF]
