Honourable Toko Xasa, at the launch of computers, Ugie Public School
27 January 2006
Programme Director
Executive Mayor
The Principal
Departmental officials from all levels
School Governing Body (SGB) members here present
Parents, Teachers and Learners
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is with jubilation that I stand here today witnessing an attempt to
bridging digital gap and the launch of computers to Ugie Public School. I am
indeed pleased for the opportunity to be with all of you as we celebrate the
initiative by Asante Development Agency, which was made possible by the
selflessness of Executive Mayor of Ukhahlamba District Municipality.
As government, it has always been our priority that all children in our
country, particularly those residing in the deep rural areas, should receive
the best education and study in the best facilities. This response from the
private sector once again indicates the strength of public-private partnerships
in our country and the manner in which this enables us to work together to
improve the quality of life of all our people.
Last year in the Department of Social Development we have managed to
establish seven information technology (IT) centres throughout the province
that is furnishing the youth to easily adapt in the environment that is so
advanced in technology and it is part of our plans this year to establish more
centres to equip our communities.
It is said, I quote: âEducation is designed to help individuals so that they
can help others. Again is designed to assist them to know their background so
that they can leave better lives.â unquote, said The World Encyclopaedia. This
generous investment will certainly yield returns, as these young leaders, who
will be produced by this school, will contribute to the development of our
country. They will be able to claim their rightful place in the community and
provide the scarce skills that are needed to make our economy grow.
This celebration today also indicates that the private sector and government
share the goal of promoting sustainable rural development. Ladies and
gentlemen, it is our view that the physical conditions of a school environment
have a profound impact not only on the quality of educational outcomes, but
also on forging links between schools and the communities in which they reside.
This school must henceforth become a centre for community life. The community
must have controlled access to these facilities and accept it as theirs. In
that way, they will take the responsibility to look after it and to see it as
their vehicle to success.
By making donations to schools such as these, the private sector is
contributing to the creation of centres of excellence in learning and teaching.
We must therefore thank the Asante Development Agency for the investment they
continue to make in education throughout the province and country.
Programme Director, government urges stakeholders to take collective
responsibility for the development of the well beings of our fellow brothers
and sisters. Where the departments may be under performing, we could rely on
you to join in and engage us constructively. We have to find solutions to our
shortcomings, together.
Government definitely needs all of you, people of good-will, to jealously
guard against a lack of quality in our service delivery. It is your duty as
much as it is ours, to ensure that all government departments, at all levels,
meet the required levels of excellence and service delivery. Our only hope in
the war on poverty, hunger and underdevelopment lie in our ability to form a
united front against illiteracy. We can only replace the darkness of despair
and gloom in our people with hope and optimism once we resolve to work and
stick together in the interest of change.
In conclusion, we call on the community to accept this as their own and to
do everything within their means to jealously protect these resourceful
facilities. These computers belong to you and your future generations. Destroy
it and you will surely be destroying the hopes and dreams of your own children
for a better life.
In 1994 millions of South Africans for the very first time were overflowing
in voter-registration to cast their votes, during the past 10 years policies
were structured to better the lives of our fellow citizen. Government has
committed to move faster in building a better country and has come up with a
vision to 2014 whereby South Africa will:
* Have a growing economy that will enable us to reduce unemployment and
poverty by half
* Enable the economy to have the skills it needs to grow and get our people the
education they need to find employment
* Make every South African to have access to water, electricity, sanitation and
other basic services and people be in a position to exercise their
constitutional rights and enjoy the full dignity of freedom.
In realising the great work ahead, we have always regarded local government
as a development sphere and committed ourselves to make local government work
for peopleâs needs. Through this intervention by government called Project
Consolidate, we will ensure that:
* National and provincial governments work harder to build local
government
* Councils are accountable to the communities
* Audits are being conducted of the skills that each municipality needs
* Service delivery is accelerated
* There is universal provision of free basic services
* A 6% economic growth is achieved
I am encouraging all those who are above 18 years to cast their votes for
their political parties which will cater for their needs. An organisation that
will ensure that the vision we have for this country is achieved.
Programme Director, It is now my pleasure to declare the Ugie Public School
computer centre officially open and thank all of you for attending and making
this historic occasion memorable.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
27 January 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (http://www.socdev.ecprov.gov.za/)
