Premier, Chupu Mathabatha,
Minister Faith Muthambi,
Khosikhulu Vho-Mphephu Ramabulana
Kgoshikgolo KK Sekhukhune,
Members of the Executive Council in the province,
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee,
Members of the Provincial Legislature,
His Grace Bishop Dr Barnabas Lekganyane,
Bishop EMM Miriri,
Executive Mayors and Mayors,
Esteemed leaders of the Community Esteemed Church leaders,
Our social partners,
The Acting Director-General, Dr PP Pheme,
The Acting Head of Department, Mr Mashaba,
Other Heads of Department present Management and officials of the department.
Aa!
President Nelson Mandela in one of his teachings said: "Let the good of our people always remain the supreme of our considerations..."
The Freedom Charter
Premier, I have started with this quote by the former President, as I believe in line with the 60th Anniversary of the profound document the world over, Freedom Charter, we must as a country and a province place this important document at the fore for our future. This document creates a positive outlook about our role in society, looking specifically to the one of the pillars that shape this document which is;
"The doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all"
Within this pillar, we had to find our expression inside which teaches us, amongst others, zoom into the following;
1. The aim of education shall be to teach the youth to love their people and their culture, to honour human brotherhood, liberty and peace.
2. Education shall be free, compulsory, universal, equal for all our children.
3. Higher Education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded based on merit.
4. Adult illiteracy shall be ended by a mass state education plan.
5. Teachers shall have all the rights of other citizens.
Now as we mark the 60th Anniversary in June 2015, we must selflessly be able to work hard with commitment, determination and vigor in the interest of our people. This is a teaching we all learnt from the Freedom Charter, which one of the Organisers of the historic and gigantic gathering in Kliptown, in the fight for a democratic South Africa, was Nelson Mandela, who, through this document, made him the first democratically elected President of a United South Africa decades after. This is our heritage.
This is our past. We shall preserve it. Our youth shall learn about it. We salute those great minds, which met in Kliptown 60 years ago to shape our historical past for a greater future. These are the minds that braved the chilly weather with the sole intention of creating a positive path to freedom. We cannot as today, whilst we see a great future forget where we come from.
