President Zuma celebrates new graduates
President Jacob Zuma has today led the celebration of the addition of yet more graduates produced through support by the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust and the Jacob Zuma Foundation, at the annual orphans and vulnerable children Christmas party.
Twenty five graduates in various fields from accounting to health and education, representing many others, graced the occasion and thanked the President for support.
President Zuma has educated more than 25 000 needy students through his Trust and Foundation.
Today the President hosted more than 6 000 people at the 16th annual Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust Children and Youth Christmas Party at Mnyakanya High School, KwaNxamalala, Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.
President Zuma noted the growth of the event over the years and the support of the Department of Social Development as a key partner as well as leaders of big and small businesses supporting the initiative.
The students representing many more graduates told their stories of how the bursaries rescued them from difficulties and changed their lives and those of their families.
The children and youth received Christmas gifts that included lunch packs, school bags, balls and vanity bags. They were entertained by their favourite music artists including Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Khuzani Mpungose and Qhosha ngokwenza kwakhe, Abanqobi and Elvovo Derango.
"We thank the many children and those who accompanied them to this important annual event where we do something with the little resources for the many orphans and children who come from the poorest of backgrounds so that they are assisted in gaining education and knowledge to improve their family circumstances,” said President Zuma.
"I want to thank all of you beneficiaries for using this opportunity well so that you can uplift your families and the communities as you are doing. But most importantly, we need to work together more to change the lives of poor people especially from our rural areas. We want to make the rural areas also places of development for our communities,” the President added.
President Zuma was joined by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, Higher Education and Training Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, State Security Minister Bongani Bongo as well as Deputy Minister Ellen Molekane and Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
The event was also attended by the Premier of Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas and Premier of the Eastern Cape Mr Phumulo Masualle as well as KZN MECs Mr Sihle Zikalala and Ms Weziwe Thusi, Mayor of Ethekwini Cllr Zandile Gumede and the Mayor of King Cetshwayo Municipality Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi.
Enquiries:
Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
E-mail: bongani@presidency.gov.za
