KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has announced that the provincial government will roll out ICT tools for Langalakhe High School in Elandskop outside Pietermaritzburg as part of the 67 minutes call to action in honour of the Mandela Day.
Premier Zikalala made the announcement during the launch of the Mandela Foundation's SAFE sanitisation of schools programme at the school on Thursday.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation through its Mandela Day SAFE Sanitisation in Schools Programme and in partnership with Engen Oil have donated a Safe Sanitisation Structure to Langalakhe High School to bring dignity to teachers and learners.
This sanitisation project is in response to a call by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the provision of safe sanitisation in SA schools.
During the launch, Premier Zikalala also announced that the provincial government will also roll out the ICT programme at the school to applause from the learners.
The ICT Maths and Science programme is aimed at benefiting rural schools in the province which do not have adequate resources and Langalakhe High School is one of them.
Premier Zikalala encouraged leaders to follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela who valued education as the most potent weapon.
"Former President Nelson Mandela prioritized education. He always emphasized that it's only through education that a child of peasants will become a president," said Zikalala.
Quoting Madiba, Zikalala said education is the only powerful tool that can help the man to change the world.
"That's why it's important that we promote quality education for our leaders in rural and township schools so that we can build the potential for our learners to be prosperous."
The Premier also thanked the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Engen Oil for donating the Safe Sanitisation Structure to the school.
"This is a great project. It's important to provide proper hygiene facilities. Sanitation is important because we must maintain the dignity of our learners and teachers. This will go a long way in alleviating the plight of this school," he said.
The Premier also conveyed condolences to the Mandela family on the passing of Zindzi Mandela, the youngest daughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang said: "We're honoured to be here at this school because for us this has been a long journey, a journey that started when President Cyril Ramaphosa call on all of us to try and restore the dignity of our people."
For enquiries, contact:
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Bongani Mthethwa
KZN Premier Media Liaison
Cell: 083 253 0748
