Programme Director and Bohlabela District Director, Ms Lorraine Goba
Honourable Minister for Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga
The Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Municipality, Cllr. Ruinous Khumalo
The Speaker of Bushbuckridge Municipality Cllr PT Selowe
US Ambassador, Ambassador Gaspard Chief Mnisi
Chairman of the Board Mr Ruel Khoza
Leadership of Buffelshoek Trust
Brigalia Bam from the Vodacom Foundation
Extinguished guests
Government officials
Principals, Parents, Teachers, Learners
Ladies and gentlemen
Sanibonani
It gives me great pleasure to be part of this historic gathering today to witness yet another milestone in the delivery of physical school infrastructure in our province.
This is ample proof that the private public partnership aimed at improving the provisioning of quality of education for all is bearing fruits.
The presence of our Minister, the Honourable Angie Motshekga gives hope to the people of the province, as it demonstrates that we as a province are not forgotten, but are part of bigger plans that the ruling party and government pursue.
Last Friday, as part of the many stories that we have to tell, we were handing over Emakhazeni Boarding School to the Emakhazeni area and its surrounding communities. This too was another milestone that the province ought to have to be proud of.
We are part of a good story that keeps evolving, that will one day be able to communicate to our grandchildren and our posterity as a narrative of our love and care for their education and bright future. As if that was not enough, today we also open another page of hope and courage still adding on our desire to make the lives of our people better through the delivery of quality education.
Honourable Minister, the province of Mpumalanga accepts Acorn to Oaks Comprehensive School. We eager to take over the school with pride and as the provincial community we are going to protect this school building.
I urge the community to report any incidences of vandalism, lawlessness and destruction of public property to the relevant authorities if the need arises. Our learners are encouraged to take advantage of this facility by going to school to learn on time everyday. Acorn to Oaks Comprehensive School, is a state of the art school that consists of 12 classrooms, an administration block, 4 ablution blocks, school hall, science laboratory, library, computer centre, guard house and refuse area.
I therefore request all learners to ensure that they use these facilities to the best of their abilities, let your results reflect on the schooling facilities that you are exposed to, we therefore expect nothing but great results from you.
Introduction of the Honourable Minister
Allow me to introduce to you the Honourable Minister, Mrs Angie Motshekga. Angelina Matsie Motshekga was born in Pimville, Soweto, where she first became very active in various capacities in the struggle against apartheid. She has read books from cover to cover. She holds BA Education and B Ed degrees from the University of the North and a Masters Degree in Education from Wits University. She has published and conducted research in education, women’s development and language studies. Motshekga has had extensive involvement in education struggles and experience in education policy development.
Her experience as an educator includes teaching at Soweto’s Orlando High and lecturing at the Soweto College of Education and Wits University. She also founded and served on various bodies focusing on education and women’s development. She was working as a convener for Gender in the Office of the President. She proceeded to work as a trainer in the Department of Public Service and Administration. She was elected a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 1999 and was appointed Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education.
She was appointed as the Gauteng MEC for Social Development in 2000 and in April 2004 as MEC for Education where she served until 2009. She joined Parliament on the 06th May 2009 and was appointed a Cabinet Member for Basic Education on the 11th May 2009. Remarks to be made by the MEC for Education, Mrs. Reginah Mhaule at the Occasion of the Official Handover of Acorns to Oaks Secondary School on 23 February 2015 in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality
She has served the ANC and ANCWL in different positions at different levels over a long period. Currently, she is the National President of the ANC Women’s League. She is also a member of the ANC National Executive Committee and National Working Committee. I therefore take this opportunity to request the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga to address us.
