Education and Training (ABET) certification ceremony, Atlantic Stadium,
Witbank
18 August 2006
Programme Director,
Education MEC Siphosezwe Masango,
Culture, Sports and Recreation MEC Nomsa Mtsweni,
Officials from provincial and local government,
Representatives of the private sector and community organisations,
Senior managers,
Members of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me from the outset congratulate all the learners who will be receiving
their certificates today. All of us gathered here appreciate and laud the
self-enriching sacrifice that you made - and continue to make - by accepting
the significant challenge to study and educate yourselves at this stage of your
lives.
We are all agreed that young people go to school in order to prepare for the
future. But unlike the youth you as adults are already in your future. The
education you receive must therefore assist you to develop competencies that
should enable you to respond to the challenges you experience in your daily
lives. Most importantly, to recognise and exploit opportunities created by a
new government.
Today is a great day for you and your families, because you worked very hard
to get the certificate you are awarded this afternoon. Ladies and gentlemen,
let us give a big round of applause to all those who will be receiving their
certificates today. We are aware of the sacrifices made by your families â
parents, spouses and children - so you can be here today. Let us have a round
of applause for all the family members who invested so much time, money and
love to ensure that todayâs certification ceremony happens.
I understand that most of the learners who attend ABET classes are women.
This is in the spirit of the commitment displayed by the gallant women of 1956,
who challenged the apartheid government in pursuit of social justice and
dignity. Iâm sure that those gallant women of 1956 would be proud to see that
the legacy of their deeds continues to this day. Malibongwe! Allow me to single
out Ms Sebenzile Mashabane from the Department of Agriculture and Land
Administration whose dedication to her studies saw her being accepted as a
learner in the Further Education and Training Programme even before she
completed her ABET classes. Yours is an achievement worth celebrating.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government will continue to
dedicate resources, including time, to ensure that the ideals of the Skills
Development Act are achieved. As government we knew that we were and still are
obliged to make it possible for everyone to develop their potential to the full
and to provide opportunities for everyone to learn and nurture their talents.
We have tapped, and are continuing to tap, the power to build a better life by
using every opportunity to ensure that our nation learns.
It is on these basis that I want to take this time to encourage all those
who remain outside the ABET programme to join. In fact I want to challenge our
graduates today to take a leaf from the old Congress of South African Students
(COSAS) slogan which says, âEach One, Teach Oneâ. Let us use this slogan to
say, it is not enough to learn whilst our colleagues do not bother. In the same
way that we preach to our families to go to church, we should preach to our
colleagues to join ABET.
It reminds me of an occasion where at a gathering an old man excitedly
extended his arms to embrace a young man who could easily have been his
grandson. The young man responded with the same amount of excitement as if they
were two friends who had not seen each other in years. The old man introduced
the young man to his friends and went on to state that they were at school
together. Everybody was surprised. They had reason to be given the huge age
gap. âWe were at driving school togetherâ. It is at the driving school where
they assisted each other through the various tests and both passed in flying
colours. This is what we would like all of you to do, to encourage and build
learning partnerships that are based on the quest for success and mutual
benefit. It is in this way that we will build a great community for the world
to marvel.
Bomama no Baba well done to all who played a role in supporting all ABET
learners through the challenges they faced or went through during the 2005 ABET
programme. On behalf of government, allow me to thank all our partners and say
to them, our province is very proud to work with fellow South Africans who care
about each other. Your contribution will go a long way towards the
transformation of our provincial administration and country.
A big round of applause and sincere thanks to the educators who exhibited
great commitment, patience and understanding in equipping these men and women
with the tools of life. I do know that teaching an adult is not easy. It
requires specific wisdom that enables one to be patient, sensitive, caring and
courteous at all times.
Lastly, allow me to thank the Human Resources Directorate in the Office of
the Premier, the leadership of the different departments participating in the
programme as well as staff who on a daily basis oversee the successful
implementation of the programme. You must continue with your noble task of
assisting learners to access new opportunities and achieve greater heights in
the future.
Kulabo abangaphumelelanga ngonyaka owedlule, resolve that from today you
will tap into new energies with determination and reach into talent deep within
you. You are capable of realising your dream and in so doing change yourself
and the world.
I thank you.
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
18 August 2006
