Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga made a visit to the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod on Friday, 5 July 2013 to enjoy the talent on display on the final day of the competition.
SASCE was on from 2-5 July and saw thousands of hopeful young learners coming together to compete against the cream of the crop. The learners engaged in moving solo and group performances at the Rhema Church in Randburg, Johannesburg, much to the delight of the audience members who packed the auditorium throughout the competition.
Addressing learners and audience members of the audience Minister Motshekga hailed the SASCE project as it resonates with the government’s vision to improve the quality of life for all citizens as it frees the potential of each participant.
“This is a strategic programme in our quest to promote unity in diversity, reconciliation and social cohesion. Using music as a medium, the competition strives to transmit cultural, traditional and indigenous messages that we hope will serve to promote nation-building, a deep-rooted sense of belonging and a South African national identity for all,” said the Minister.
“It is with this goal in mind that I previously declared 2013 the year of Inclusive education. I am pleased, that through SASCE, the department is pursuing this goal as we see the inclusion of the Own Choice category which is reserved for special schools. This progressive step should promote equal access at this event.”
Minister Motshekga went on to remind parents, learners and educators in the audience that the primary goal of the department was to ensure that learners achieved quality educational outcomes.
“So as we enrich our children’s lives through music, sport and other cultural activities, we need to ascertain also that we do not drop the education outcomes ball,” said Minister Motshekga.
