North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa has called on the youth to be ambassadors for road safety. MEC Yawa's call made during the Provincial Road Safety Debate held in Christiana on Friday, 19 June 2009, urges youth to encourage pedestrians and other road users to share the road responsibly throughout the FIFA Confederation Cup, during and beyond next year's FIFA Soccer World Cup.
"Working together we can do more to turn the tide of the carnage on our roads in order to reduce fatalities and injuries that are brought about by non-compliance with rules of the road." Yawa said in his speech read on his behalf by Provincial Head of Department, Obakeng Mongale.
The objective of the road safety debate aimed at high school learners is to educate learners and communities about road safety through a participatory education approach in order to instil a culture of safe traffic participation and address the underlying problems of road safety.
2 120 learners from 64 high schools throughout the province participated in this year’s debate in which a five member team from Ngaka Modiri Molema District emerged as winners in the finals after a heated and grueling session against Bojanala Platinum District that also flared up tempers.
"Qualifying at district level was one thing, but winning provincially has placed a greater responsibility on our shoulders as a team" said Tshenolo Maape, a grade 11 learner at Mafikeng High and a member of the Ngaka Modiri Molema Debating team that was awarded R2 000 each by the Provincial Department of Public Safety.
The five member team which proceeds to represent the province at the national Road Safety Debate to be held as from 8 to 11 September 2009 in Bloemfontein has learners from Sol Plaatjie (two), Motsweding (two) and Mafikeng(one) High Schools.
"May the team that will represent us at the national level spread our call for the youth of our country to stand up and be counted as ambassadors of a new patriotism and campaigners for road safety" Yawa appealed.
The other fifteen provincial participants were awarded R400 as consolation. All participants received computer data memory sticks, electronic calculators, stationary, bags, colouring sets, squeeze bottles sponsored by Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality, Magalies Water and Transnet. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality as a partner co-sponsored catering for the 350 people who attended the event.
The Confederation Cup fever as expressed through soccer balls incorporated in traditional dance performances between debate sessions captured the nation's passion for football as observed by Deandra Strekey, one of the adjudicators and a British Council International Climate Change mentor.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
