Kganyago, MP, on the occasion of a hand-over of computers to Magoshi Primary
School, Ga-Maribane, Limpopo 27 January 2007
The Representative of the Chinese Government, Minister Councillor Zhou
Yuxiao The Mayor of Aganang Municipality, Mrs M Masehela
All local Councillors present today
Senior Government officials
The Principal of Magoshi Primary School, Mr Manamela
Educators, parents and learners
The Programme Director: Ms Julia Marakalala
Ladies and gentlemen:
Firstly, let me take this opportunity to welcome all of you teachers,
parents and learners back to school in 2007. I hope the December holidays gave
everybody a well deserved rest and that you are all looking forward to a busy
but challenging new year.
Our sincere gratitude as a country need to go to the people and the
government of the People's Republic of China, for their courtesy. I personally
got the chance to sample first hand, the Chinese hospitality when I was warmly
welcomed during my visit to China last year (2006). I was impressed by their
diligence which is manifested through the brisk rate of their economic
growth.
In a short period since the People's Republic of China was formally
established in 1949, the economy of China has grown tremendously and today it
outpaces many major economies in the world. This is because the Chinese people
are hard-working and show dedication in everything they do - be it commerce,
sport, industry, science or technology. In fact, China is the world's second
biggest spender on research and development in science and technology.
It is important to understand that countries like China will continue to
prosper and dominate the world economy because their people are hard-workers,
their standard of living is rapidly improving and about 98.9% of their youth
population is literate and many parents are highly committed to their
children's education, often investing large portions of their family's income
on education and recreational activities of their children.
The computers that the Chinese Embassy is donating to our school today, are
welcomed. We view them as seeds that will grow to stimulate the interest of our
children in science and technology.
I remember when this government launched the Year of Science and Technology
in 1996/97, one of the scientists who unselfishly gave his time to motivate our
children, was Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, a son of Limpopo. This renowned
scientist today heads the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a constant
reminder that we can all rise up to achieve international prominence.
I call on teachers and parents to work hard together to ensure that children
grow interest in science and technology. We need to see these children learning
computer skills from an early age, so that they can have a competitive
advantage when they advance to secondary and tertiary institutions.
Our government, particularly the Deputy President, Mrs Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka, is driving a priority skills development initiative known as a
Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA), to help the country
identify and acquire critical skills needed to accelerate economic growth.
Computer skills are part of the Information and Telecommunication group of
skills identified under JIPSA. Therefore learning how to operate, programme,
assemble and repair computers at this early age, should put our children on par
with many in the developed world who on a daily basis interact through, and
with computer technology.
I want to express how lucky we are to have friends like the people of China
who care about our development. The greatest luck is the opportunity we are
given, through these computers, to make a difference in our lives and the life
of the community we inhabit.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Public Works
27 January 2007
Source: Department of Public Works (http://www.publicworks.gov.za)
