Opening Remarks by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 16th meeting of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa, Sasol 1 Site, Sasolburg
Deputy Chairs, Ms Nolitha Fakude and Mr Bheki Ntshalintshali;
Minister of Women, Ms Susan Shabangu;
Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Oliphant;
Members of the Human Resource Development Council,
Welcome to this, the second meeting in this administration of the Human Resource Development Council.
It is the sixteenth meeting of the Council since its establishment in 2011.
It is fitting that we are meeting today at this college, since it is at places like these that the work of this Council acquires its meaning and relevance.
It is here that we see what challenges confront our education and training system.
It is here that we see the hard work and the innovative approaches that will enable us ultimately to excel.
During the campus tour, we saw the results of the partnership between Sasol, one of our country's leading industrial companies, and this Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college.
Through this partnership, Sasol is sharing its extensive pool of skills and wealth of expertise with young South Africans.
This partnership provides an example that we are seeking to replicate across the country.
That is why we welcome the signing today of the pledge that initiates the adoption of TVET colleges by the business sector.
It promises to make a significant contribution not only to the development of skills that are much sought after in the economy, but also to the realisation of the vision contained in the National Development Plan.
It is in the spirit of partnership that we look forward to the presentation on the Business Innovation Zone network, which promises opportunities to learn and share resources with partners across the world.
At our previous meeting, we raised the importance of taking stock of what has been accomplished and how the work we have been doing responds to the needs of the country.
As we craft our plans for the new year, it is only correct that we should examine our approach to the task before us. We should interrogate the impact of our deliberations.
How are we going to measure progress?
What partnerships can we forge to improve our output?
How do we structure the agenda of the Council to maximise the potential of the collective capabilities assembled here?
This Council is an integral part of a society-wide effort to enhance the human resource potential of our nation.
The success of the Council depends on its ability to involve and mobilise all sectors of society in advancing this objective.
The work of the Council needs to reach the most remote parts of our country.
It needs to reach the marginalised, the youth, women, children, and the elderly.
With these few opening remarks, I would like to warmly welcome everybody and formally open the proceedings of this sixteenth meeting of the Human Resource Development Council.
I thank you.
