Programme Director,
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Ndabeni-Abrahams,
MECs, Mayors and Councillors present,
Dignitaries from NEMISA and MTN,
Staff and learners from Nkomazi High School,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am pleased to be here at the Nkomazi Local Municipality, as we are celebrating 27 years of freedom and democracy. Today is a day of celebration and acknowledgement of progress made to impact positively on the Ehlanzeni District Municipality.
We take this opportunity to thank the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, NEMISA and related partners for making today a reality. This act enhances partnerships between government and its citizens, and between government as well as the private sector.
We also thank the Department for making sure we deliver on the promises we made in June 2018, to amongst others, train 30 young people who today possess skills in radio and television broadcasting.
Certainly, as a country we have made major strides in delivering basic freedoms like education as well as access to other basic amenities, which are necessary to facilitate human development and opportunities for the fulfilment of our potential as a people.
At the same time, significant challenges remain prevalent in ensuring equity for many South Africans as far as access to technology and ICT tools are concerned. This impacts negatively in levelling the playing field for young people to realise their dreams and potential, especially in the emerging world of the fourth industrial revolution that is characterised by artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing.
Therefore, access to technology is important in facilitating development and in tackling disparities in society.
This is the reason our visit here today is special for the community of Nkomazi, the people of Mpumalanga and South Africans in general.
It is an important occasion to enable young people and by extension, youth enterprises that emerge from such enabled environment to shine.
This ICT infrastructure will also contribute to eliminating disparities in terms of internet access, including bridging the gap between the school and the home environment in just ensuring continuous learning beyond the classroom.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of adapting with change as demonstrated by the use of virtual platforms and online learning beyond the traditional methods in the classroom. Therefore a house without a Television, Radio, mobile phone, computer and internet connection to entertain and educate, hampers development.
This suggests that our Television, set top boxes, tablets and mobile phones possess enormous potential beyond mere texting, social media and games but can be powerful tools for education.
Therefore, this infrastructure offers an opportunity for young people, to feel included in government programmes aimed at recognising and harnessing their innate talents, and where their innovation is appreciated.
That is why I have no doubt that these cyber labs, will in return, enable the Schools to lead in the skills revolution, in skills development and preparing the learners and staff to contribute to the community, to the province and the country at large.
To the sponsors of these cyber-labs, a sincere appreciation is extended to you, since the labs will assist the local Schools and the surrounding community in capacitating our youth to build their enterprises. Nkomazi is one of the disadvantaged areas, but its people have proven to be diligent in the use of their natural intellect to achieve many things.
Youth enterprises are especially important because they provide young people with a hand-up instead of a hand-out.
