Programme Director
Tracker CEO, Mr. Hutcheson
Executive Communications Director, Mr. Radebe
Students that are honoured today
All the other beneficiary alumni students
Parents
Academics
Civil Society
Ladies and Gentlemen
As I was reading the programme for today, my eyes were immediately drawn to the slogan or motto inserted at the bottom of the page, which reads: “Education is my ladder!” How remarkable to witness that the private sector, Tracker Network, is supporting the government’s call that education must be and is one of the top five priorities for this term of governance 2009 - 2014.
Immediately then, Ladies and Gentlemen, we want to emphasis as government, that any endeavour that seeks to invest in the education of youth - the future - of this country, deserves the highest accolades and support from government. Today as government, we say “huntshu” Tracker for building leaders of tomorrow!
Most importantly, Tracker, has actually gone further by emphasising to help, not only any other youth/child. Tracker’s mission is clear: it wants to change for the better, the lives of the most vulnerable children in South Africa, the orphaned children of our men and women in blue.
The initiative by Tracker means that they also understand the concept of developing a country, that government cannot do it alone, but as citizens, organisations and companies, we all have a role to play in empowering our country and our continent through education.
To us as Police Leadership, the Tracker Bursary scheme for children of the Police Officers who die in the line of duty thus, becomes more than a philanthropic gesture from a wealthy company. Tracker is bringing back in action, the long-lost value of ubuntu, where it was once believed that: “a child is brought up by the whole village”.
The working approach by our government: “the working together we can do more”, is precisely about that: striving to bring the whole village South Africa together to help nurture our vulnerable youth through education.
We want to say to our Tracker Bursary scheme beneficiary students here today, both alumni and active, that all the efforts done here today, including the Police Killings Summit that was held in July and the National Police Commemoration recently held two weeks ago, are pledges in action between government and business.
Together, government and business are building a spirit of ubuntu, of working together constructively, to evolve you, children, from being just mere victims of the relentless and heartless criminals; to being victors of youth development and empowerment through education.
The message to you, students, is clear: if you are given an opportunity to hold a pen and carry a backpack full of books to school, then seize the moment with hope, zeal and discipline.
You have a responsibility to lessen the growing disparity between youth who remain unemployed due to lack of skills and shortage of scarce skills among the South African workforce, by being dedicated to your studies at all times.
Knowledge without values is incomplete. Therefore, student beneficiaries of Tracker Bursary scheme must know that this education opportunity is preparing you to become responsible citizens who will contribute to the welfare of the society and advancement of other vulnerable youth.
And, yes, even though you might graduate with flying colours, be prepared to be strong and be able to take difficult decisions, in order to withstand the greatest storms when you enter into the working place.
Because, it is a fact that there are still not enough black qualified people to fill in the scarce skills positions, such as specialised medicine, engineering, technology and finance. Women and Africans remain underrepresented in the managerial and professional categories, especially in the private sector.
But, Tracker is addressing these skills needs, and has produced a medical doctor, Palesa Mentoro, in the process, providing opportunities to our youth for career advancement; and transforming the demographics of the sector to reflect the demographics of this country.
And, as government, we will make sure that this trend is enhanced by making sure that our Equity Laws are enacted effectively to ensure a sufficient number of new entrants in the skilled labour market.
We will make sure that our schools produce enough quality matriculants with endorsements and with mathematics and physics as subjects.
This government will also continue to make sure that children from historically disadvantaged communities have easy access to a higher education system by reducing unnecessary institutional constraints so as to increase a sufficiently large of pool of graduates, especially in the field of scarce skills such as medicine and engineering.
In conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen and students, I would like to reiterate that, we know that this bursary scheme will never truly suffice, but it is the least we can do to repay the service of your loved ones who died protecting the democracy and constitution of this country.
I thank you all.
