Tshabalala Education Trust, on the occasion of awarding bursaries to
learners
4 February 2009
Programme director
Members of the Vincent Tshabalala Board of Trustees
Beneficiaries of the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust Fund
Our educators
People of Alexandra
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Today, we are gathered here for yet another important milestone in the
history of the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust. We are once more honouring
those that have done well last year in their studies and subsequently have
qualified to receive funding from the Vincent Tshabalala Trust Fund.
We take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have received funding
from the trust. We thank the educators who ensured that our learners do well.
We also thank parents and the broader community for the important role they
continue to play in the education of our children.
We would also like to thank members of the board who continue to work
tirelessly for the successfully realisation of the vision of the Vincent
Tshabalala Education Trust.
In many ways, the Vincent Tshabalala Educational Trust remains a symbol of
how a community has managed to transform the tragic event of the death of one
of its own, in the hands of a brutal system of oppression, into the creation of
a vehicle for progress, social inclusion and sustainable community
development.
On this important occasion we wish to pay tribute to all those who on a
regular basis make enormous sacrifices to themselves and their families to
contribute to the success of the work done by the trust.
These are the true embodiment of the spirit of Vincent Tshabalala in whose
honour the trust was established. We also thank the private sector for the
valuable contribution they continue to make towards ensuring that the trust
achieves its noble objectives.
By contributing to the success of the work of the trust, the private sector
continues to show its willingness to partner with communities in an endeavour
to promote sustainable development. For that we are grateful.
We would not have reached all the milestones we have reached had it not been
for the support we continue to receive from all stakeholders. Indeed, working
together we have achieved much and working together we will do more.
Ladies and gentlemen education is a priority for the development of our
society. We have established this trust alive to the fact that an African child
must be educated so that he or she can contribute to the development of our
society.
Our economy and our government require that we produce certain skills. These
are the skills needed to sustain the growth and development of our economy and
to build a developmental state that has the capacity to intervene decisively in
the challenges facing our people.
We will continue to put education at the centre of our efforts to overcome
poverty, create quality jobs, grow the economy and enhance the human potential
of all our people.
Working together, we will continue to make targeted interventions aimed at
expanding access to quality education and developing the kind of skills
required by the economy.
In Gauteng we have created the Global City Region Academy (GCRA) which is
focused on producing skills that are required by the state and the economy. The
GCR Academy must use institutions such as the Vincent Tshabalala Education
Trust to access learners but also to create sustainable partnerships.
We call on other areas in the province, to launch similar initiatives that
government can partner; Soweto, Sebokeng, Duduza, Tembisa, Atteridgeville,
Ekangala, Kagiso and many other areas we need more similar initiatives to
support the education of the African child.
To the recipients of the bursaries, I would like to remind you that this is
a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please make use of it. When you complete your
studies and even during your time at institutions of higher learning, remember
that before you are a student, you a member of the community.
In this regard, we urge you to play a role in the development of your
community. We want you to be able to reach out to our communities and most
importantly to become assets that members of your community can always rely
on.
We also urge you to become role models to other young people in your
community. Through your actions, your peers must see the rewards of hard work.
They must be inspired to also work hard towards the improvement of their lives
and those of their communities.
This is the vision of the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust. It is this
vision that should guide you as you conduct yourselves. Once more we say, well
done to all those who have received bursaries. We hope you will make a success
of the opportunity you have been given.
Your country needs you!
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 February 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za/)
