Opening Address by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, MP, at the NECT 10th Anniversary National Convention held at Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, 11 September 2023
Programme Director;
Mr. Sizwe Nxasana: Chairman of the NECT Board and Trustees;
Mr. Godwin Khosa: NECT CEO and Senior Management;
Organised Labour & Business Partners;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good Morning!
It is a distinct honour and a profound privilege to stand before the honourable NECT Trustees, distinguished guests, and esteemed colleagues today.
I also extend my warm regards to the respected members of academia, representatives from civil society, the private sector, and all the dynamic individuals who infuse vitality and purpose into our nation’s basic education ecosystem.
To share this space and to breathe this air, imbued with determination and focused on basic education reforms to achieve improved learner outcomes by 2030, is indeed a singular honour.
Today marks a significant milestone as we gather to celebrate a decade of unprecedented collaboration between the Basic Education sector and big business spearheaded by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT).
The NECT stands as the gold standard in public-private partnerships. It is our lodestar.
Today stands as a testament to our collective resolve as we reflect on a decade of tangible progress, steered by this year’s theme: “Reflections on Collaboration to Enhance Education Reform Efforts in South Africa.”
This theme invites us to engage deeply and thoughtfully with our journey together over the past decade.
It calls on us to reflect upon the intricate mosaic of collaboration woven between various stakeholders — a tapestry that echoes with stories of perseverance, innovation, and unity.
As we delve into these reflections, we unearth the lessons harvested from triumphant and challenging experiences, and we are offered a rich ground from which to envision and sculpt the future trajectory of educational reform in South Africa.
It is a time to celebrate the synergies formed and to rekindle our collective spirit as we continue to forge paths that enhance educational landscapes, fostering environments that are increasingly inclusive, equitable, and oriented towards excellence.
Our journey started with a vision to foster a society where collaboration forms the cornerstone of educational reform, and education foregrounds all societal endeavours, whether they are strategies to achieve faster economic growth, combat poverty, or address inequality.
A society where every stakeholder, from provincial departments or national to civil society, unites to nurture the infinite potential residing in our young people.
Over these ten remarkable years, we have stood shoulder to shoulder, fostering basic education partnerships and showcasing the transformative power of collective effort.
Today, as we stand on the cusp of a new dawn, it becomes more essential than ever to reflect and leverage the experiences we have amassed to foster a forward-looking perspective on basic education enhancement.
As we reflect upon a decade of relentless effort and collaboration, it becomes evident that our journey has been marked by remarkable partnerships between the Basic Education Department and the private sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, such collaborations have paved the way for an influx of resources and expertise and fostered environments replete with innovation and efficiency, marking a confluence of the government’s foresight and the private sector’s agility a lived reality.
Our collaborative efforts have been pivotal in enhancing the curriculum, focusing on marrying tradition with innovation, grounding learning in our rich cultural tapestry while integrating global perspectives to foster a holistic educational experience.
Moreover, the inception of meticulous national reading plans is a testimony to our determined stride toward literacy excellence.
Implemented across various educational districts, these plans are tailored to nurture the innate curiosity of our learners, guiding them progressively towards literacy proficiency.
It is a structured pathway that instils a deep love for learning, where books become bridges to expansive worlds of knowledge, and every reading session is a step towards enlightenment.
Programme director, it has been a concerted effort, a symbiotic relationship aiming to foster a nurturing space for our learners.
It is rooted deeply in empirical evidence and tailored to meet the diverse and unique needs of our vibrant learner populace.
Furthermore, collaboration between the government and the private sector in education reforms has translated into a harmonised endeavour, improving the physical facilities in our educational institutions, enhancing curriculum delivery, and fostering environments conducive to teaching and learning, among other initiatives.
It stands as a testament to our shared goal - to craft a future-ready basic education system that anticipates the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, preparing learners adeptly to navigate the complexities of tomorrow.
As we forge ahead, let us carry with us the spirit of mutual respect and shared objectives, continually fostering an approach to education grounded in inclusivity, equity, and excellence.
Let us envision a future where our collaborative efforts bear the fruits of faster economic development, nurturing individuals well-prepared to contribute positively to the socio-economic landscape of our country.
Our efforts, through thick and thin, have been to shape a basic education system that stands robust, resilient, and adaptable to the economic constraints and opportunities that lie before us.
The hurricane of COVID-19 showed us flames, but we stood tall amongst our peers and delivered.
It is clear that through collaborations and system improvements, our basic education has become robust and resilient.
As the saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding,” a reality to which our response has been the endurance demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Programme director, our collaborative endeavour is a path carved through relentless effort.
It is a pathway towards nurturing a pool of competent and dynamic individuals ready to steer our nation towards a future brimming with opportunities.
As we move forward, we must acknowledge the diverse target market of practitioners ranging from mid-to-senior management and executives across the government, unions, private sectors, civil societies, and academia who have been the pillars supporting this monumental national endeavour.
Your efforts have empowered us to reach this pinnacle: 10 years of systems improvements, 10 years of scientific interventions, and 10 years of remarkable progress.
Truly a decade of educational excellence.
Looking back, we can see how NECT has been a crucible of innovation, a platform where ideas transform into reality and visions materialise into tangible outcomes.
It has fostered environments where educational frameworks are not just conceived but are implemented with a rare synergy.
The celebration today is not just a testament to our past achievements but a firm step into a future that holds unlimited potential.
It is a pledge to continue nurturing inclusive, holistic, and empowering partnerships, enabling a canvas where every child can paint their dreams with strokes of knowledge, empathy, and understanding.
As we proceed with today’s sessions, graced by eminent personalities sharing insights and foresight, let us pledge to forge forward with the same spirit of collaboration, nurturing generations grounded in equity, excellence, and inclusivity.
In conclusion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to every individual and organisation who has journeyed with us.
Your commitment, resilience, and fervent belief in the transformative power of basic education have been our guiding light.
Our vision resonates profoundly with the words of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate and a staunch advocate for female education, who proclaimed: “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”
As we embark on new avenues, may we enhance basic education reform efforts, armed with a decade of rich experiences, fortified partnerships, and a renewed commitment to nurturing the vibrant tapestry of young minds in our homeland?
I thank you.
