Honourable Premier,
Madam Speaker,
Honourable Members,
Distinguished guests,
SGB Council members,
Learners,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dumelang.
Congratulations are in order on your appointment as the Presiding Officer of this august House, Madam Speaker.
We have no doubt that you are equal to the task and will execute your work with distinction.
Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to convey our sincere condolences to the family of the Public Service and Administration Minister, Honourable Collins Chabane and two bodyguards–Sergeants Lesiba Sekele and Sergeant Lawrence Lentsoane, described by Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko as dedicated members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
As you know they all died in a tragic car accident on Saturday.
A true Democrat and an outstanding cadre of the liberation struggle–we thank Mr Chabane for his legacy in creating a system of performance, monitoring and evaluation during his tenure as the Minister in the Presidency.
This is a huge loss not only to the family and friends but also to the ANC, government and the country as whole. Rest in Peace Qhawe lamaQhawe!
Let me also take this opportunity to mourn the death of comrade Kgalentshepe Jomo Marumo on 11 March 2015 after a relatively short illness. During this emotional period of pain, we salute and pay tribute to this gallant fighter, trade unionists, a founder member of Tumahole Student Organisation and a fearless revolutionary.
Like many young black South Africans, Comrade Marumo was subjected to harassment by the Apartheid security forces, he never enjoyed his youthful days and believed in the slogan ‘Freedom or death, Victory is certain’.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Madam Speaker, before we table Vote 6 of the Free State Department of Education, allow me to urge Honourable Members to join our people tomorrow (21 March 2015) in commemorating the Human Rights Day.
Honourable Members, 21 March marks the collective resilience of the South Africans. On this day masses of our people took it upon themselves to ensure that human rights is a norm and that respect and dignity is restored to all, irrespective of cultural background, gender, race, religion, or creed.
Today, fundamental rights such as basic education are accessed by majority of our people. Indeed, the blood of our fallen heroes and heroines nurtured the tree of liberty.
As we celebrate Human Rights Day we should do so with respect and appreciation of our fellow country men and women, who fell in the process of confronting the injustices of Apartheid. In this regard we appreciate the role played by of struggle icons such as JB Marks and Moses Kotane.
These Freedom fighters have sacrificed their lives to ensure that ‘all our people enjoy equal Human Rights.’
Accordingly, we welcome their return to the land of their birth. They have returned to a South Africa that is free and democratic, a South Africa that is a much better place to live in than it was in 1994.
They have returned to South Africa during the year of the Freedom Charter. As the ANC government we have a long way in translating the vision of the Freedom Charter into reality.
Building on the achievements of this government since 1994, education has been made a Apex priority for our country. Honourable Members, the Freedom Charter states: “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened...,” and that is precisely what this2015/2016 budget is doing.
Madam Speaker, as we present the 2015/2016 budget we wish to state that we will be guided by the Freedom Charter, the ANC 103rd January 8 Statement, the National Development Plan (NDP), the 2015 State of the Nation Address (SONA) and 2015 State of the Province Address (SOPA).
The total budget allocation for education in the province increased with 2.4 % from R11.266 billion in 2014/2015 to R 11.5 38 billion in 2015/2016 financial year.
This reinforces this government’s commitment to education as priority number One. Since 1994, the doors of learning and culture have been opened to all with high levels of learner enrolment at compulsory phases.
