computer donation ceremony, by Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Minister of Public
Service and Administration
28 May 2007
Programme Director
Fellow member of Parliament and colleague, Mr Richard Sikakane
Other MECs present
Mr Ben Kekana of Sizwe Information Technology (IT) Group
Representatives of IBM, Internet Solutions and State Information Technology
Agency (SITA)
Principal of the School, Mrs Mjadu
Representatives of the School Governing Body (SGB)
Teachers, parents and learners
Warm greetings to you all!
It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be with you today. This is not
only because I get to meet new people and experience more of the wonderful
diversity and beauty of our country, but also because in some small way we are
making a contribution towards ensuring a brighter future for the learners of
Ziphozonke Secondary School.
We know that the legacy of apartheid is blight still very visible in our
schools and education system and that will remain for some time to come.
Just last month, Deputy Minister of Education Enver Surty said at the
Digital Freedom Exposition that approximately 30% of our schools currently use
computers for teaching and learning with a mere two percent of those schools
actually connected to the Internet.
The sad reality in South Africa is that most schools need to construct solid
buildings before they can even consider putting information and communication
technology (ICT) infrastructure in place.
From today forward though, teachers and learners of Ziphozonke Secondary
School must ensure that you can count yourselves among the 30% of schools who
use computers for teaching and learning because you are now already among the
two percent with Internet access.
This donation of computer equipment, software, cabling and Internet
connectivity, however small, is a step in the right direction because it speaks
directly to the South African government's mandate that by 2013 no child will
leave a public school in South Africa without basic computer literacy.
Yes, there is a long road ahead to achieve this but we will get there.
While I have touched on some statistics, I am not here to speak to you about
education policy and give you numbers and projections.
But I do think it is important for everyone here today to appreciate the
dire situation we face in our schools and why it is of the utmost importance
that teachers and learners harness the full potential of the information
technology you now have at your disposal.
On this note, I want to share a brief scenario with you. Think of the
following:
'The eyes of school children glistening with anticipation, their fingers
arch lightly over their computer terminals, waiting to tap out solutions to
ever more difficult problems appearing on the screen before them.'
Such concentration and receptiveness would thrill any school teacher. Where
do you think these particular children are located?
Well from today onwards, why not right here at Ziphozonke Secondary
School?
This should be the vision that we should all aspire to. A country where our
children are proficient in using computers and extract immense value from
them.
In an information age, knowledge and effective use of computers along with
sound education will be the cornerstone of a vibrant, modern society.
This is why our teachers are so absolutely critical to the future of our
young democracy. Learners spend so much time in your care that much of what you
teach will have long lasting, profound effects.
Teachers are change agents. But to see change in the classroom, we must make
sure we fully develop our teachers. Providing more computers at schools will do
little without providing quality and professional teacher training to harness
and effectively utilise computers.
We must recognise that computers alone are not magic and neither should they
replace chalk and blackboards, but they should and can be used as a tool to aid
learning.
Yes we are developing country, but the world will not wait for us to catch
up. Globalisation is unstoppable. We must embrace technology and use it to its
full potential.
This is important because use and knowledge of computers will make the
learners here employable one day. While it will perhaps not immediately get you
a job, it will ensure that you are one step closer to being employed.
The other important aspect for the young learners here today is that there
are opportunities out there, but you have to study hard and pass well at school
in order to seize those opportunities.
There are many bursary programmes, learnerships and internships on offer
even through government but excelling at school will be your ticket to
accessing these opportunities.
Your school is now in a fortunate position. It is one among a few that are
getting computer support while many more schools have no access to computers,
the Internet or email.
Seize what you have been bestowed with today. Guard against complacency. Use
the computer facilities you now have to ensure a brighter future for
yourselves.
On this note, I would like to make specific mention of the sponsors who have
so generously donated to Ziphozonke Secondary School.
A hearty thank you must go to SITA and its partners for making this donation
possible.
Thank you to IBM who contributed the 35 computers, Sizwe IT Group for the
cabling and networking of the computers and Internet Solutions for providing
the school with Internet access. Could I ask that our sponsors please stand up
so that we can acknowledge your generosity?
SITA will provide continuous support for these computers to ensure they
remain functional and operational for future learners of Ziphozonke.
Nelson Mandela once said and I quote, "Education is the great engine of
personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant
can become a doctor that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine,
that a child of farm workers can become the president of a country."
Remember these words, live by them.
To the learners of Ziphozonke Secondary School the opportunities are yours
to seize. But only through hard work can you seize them and success will be
yours to savour.
Thank you!
Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
28 May 2007
