Eastern Cape Department of Education Chief Director for Institutional Management, Development and Support, Ms Nosipho Skenjana, re-emphasised the spirit of Ubuntu on the eve of Youth Day at Sterkspruit Christian School in Sterkspruit.
Skenjana urged young people to keep their identity and history “because it is a step to success and wisdom.” She said her chief directorate is focusing on molding the future of youth, eradicating poverty and decreasing crime.
“I therefore blow a whistle to respect societal values and attitudes,” she said. She called on communities to plough back social and cultural values in themselves.
In the same event, Mr Ntsikelelo Vazi, Director for Institutional Management, Development and Governance said the ECDoE is in a purposeful effort to gather youth in functions natured to keep them at bay from crime and substance abuse which diminishes their bright future. He said it is in the department’s great interest to teach the youth on how vital it is to know their history, roots and heritage.
Chieftainsance Nokwandisa Kama from the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders praised the schools that took an extra mile in teaching students traditional dances. “Cultural schools like ulwaluko (initiation) and intonjane (ceremony to welcome girls to adulthood) require a closer look because they play a big role in teaching the youth about their cultures, and have an impact in the well-being of both men and women,” she said.
Mrabalala Ongezwa, a female poet (imbongi), from Nyathela S S School in Sterkspruit said they were gathered there not in grief, but to commemorate the blood spilt in 1976 by students who were protecting against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. “The blood irrigated a tree of freedom, the tree we are now enjoying its fruit,” she added.
Traditional dancing groups shared the stage entertaining and teaching the audience about different cultural dances like umngqungqo, umteyo and imfence.
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
29 June 2009
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoe.gov.za)
