Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete: Closing of 2015 National Annual Youth Summit

2015 National Annual Youth Summit closing address by the Deputy Minister Ms Pamela Tshwete, Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg

Programme Director
MEC for Basic Education Honourable Panyaza Lesufi
Representatives of the Department of Basic Education
Representatives of the Office of the Presidency
Ladies and gentlemen
Educators, Learners, including Schools from the Surrounding Ekurhuleni Region
 
The seventh Youth Water and Sanitation Summit has been a resounding success. Educators, Learners, the Department, our Sponsors and Partners must be thanked immediately before I speak further.

I won’t be long this morning because my aim is to reflect on our achievement and to show our gratitude to all our supporters,.

When I arrived here on Monday, I spoke about the importance of empowering our learners with knowledge about the impact that water and sanitation have on our lives, and how this knowledge can be used to close the skills gap.

A society that is educated about its natural resources can begin to build a future that sustains a better quality life free from devastating impact of poor health, poverty, and inequality.

Outside this hall we have a career expo sourced with so much information about careers that learners should begin to associate themselves with.

Other workshop rooms in the hotel serves as bases for educational lectures, debates, competitions, and the learning of life lessons.
 
There were sessions to empower both educators and learners, and for the Department to do introspection on its growing commitments towards water and sanitation in South Africa.

The Summit has provided learners with ample resources including MTN-sponsored media classrooms, certificates to honour the power of learning, prize monies, and bursaries for further study in the water and sanitation sector.

Last night at our Gala Dinner, I welcomed the wonderful achievement of Ukho Mlenzana one of our beneficiaries of the Aqua Enduro bursary award. Next year, Ukho intends to study Mechanical Engineering at a tertiary institution.

Programme Director, Ladies and Gentlemen, Children and Educators, can you see the power of the Youth Summit? Can you see how our 2020 Vision Programme and the Youth Summit entrench a vision, ambition, and education in our learners. Children really are the future.
 
My proudest moment regarding the Youth Summit is the winning of the United Nations Best Practices Award in the category "Water for Life" this year. I thank the Department for showing the true value of the Summit to the world.

Without taking more time let me please thank our biggest supporters as the Department of Water and Sanitation:

  • Department of Basic Education
  • The Department of Arts and Culture
  • Department of Public Works
  • MTN foundation
  • WESSA
  • MTN
  • SANBI
  • Rand Water
  • Sedibeng Water Board
  • Ekurhuleni Municipality
  • Water Research Commission
  • Monash University South Africa
  • Department of Arts and Culture
  • Department of Basic Education
  • East Rand Water Care Association
  • Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA)

In conclusion, I ask that all of you travel safe to your respect regions and homes. I ask that we see each other again next year at the Youth Water and Sanitation Summit.

I thank you.

More on

Share this page

Similar categories to explore