It is our collective responsibility to ensure a brighter future for Vuwani and surrounding areas
Today, 20 May 2016, saw further fruitful interactions between government, communities and other stakeholders. The positive atmosphere and engagements by communities’ signalled government’s progress in resolving the situation in Vuwani and surrounding areas.
Unfortunately there are pockets of those who are not prepared to for peace and stability in the area. The situation on the ground is calm and communities want their daily lives to return to normality, which is contrary to some headlines that are suggesting otherwise.
“We urge all communities in Vuwani and the surrounding areas to join hands with other stakeholders and work towards a peaceful resolution of the issues raised, including that of demarcation,” said Minister van Rooyen.
Government has noted with concern some of the misleading media reports that seek to undermine collective efforts by government and social partners, including the community of Vuwani and surrounding areas at large.
In light of these unfortunate media reports, government would like to inform members of the public that solid and progressive engagements are ongoing between government and stakeholders, including affected communities, to swiftly bring the situation to normality.
A meeting held at Tshimbupfe yesterday concluded with an agreement to resume schooling and the stoppage of roads blockades. Affected areas have not yet completely normalised. However, there have been notable improvements since Monday and government is certain that there will be significant progress in days to come, as parties find lasting solutions to the unfortunate incidents.
The strong police presence is only a precautionary measure in aid of creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning to resume in earnest. It also brings normality to the area and discourages criminal elements who use intimidatory tactics to undermine efforts by government and communities.
As government we agreed to engage and are willing to negotiate to find a lasting solution to the problems raised by all stakeholders. We have also emphasised that we cannot deny children their right to education as required by the constitution of our country. We have reiterated that all schools should re-open.
We even committed that for those schools that were torched, we will procure 76 mobile classrooms that will come to augment the classrooms that were damaged at the height of the violent protest. We have indeed come through and made good on our promise. At this stage 42 Mobile classrooms have already been delivered and are being assembled. We are also bringing in desks for learners.
We cannot be a society that fails to exercise the responsibility placed on us by the law to guide our children to a better future, which is advanced through education. The founding father of our democracy, former President Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the great engine of personal development.
It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine and that a child of farmworkers can become the president of a great nation.
It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
These words are relevant and important in the lives of many children of Vuwani and surrounding areas, who have dreams to make something out of their lives. It is now time to make a decision on the future of those that we love so dearly.
“If it is indeed true and correct that our country needs future leaders, understanding that self-development at any level of our life is the best gift for a better future, we call on parents to stand their ground and not let those who do not care about their lives and that of their loved ones destroy their future using any guise,” said Minister van Rooyen.
Engagements and discussions will continue on the decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB). This process is moving swiftly to ensure that the lives of people continue and they are also able to access the services that government provides.
Whilst the voices of those who are not in favour of the establishment of the new municipality have been the loudest, through the torching of schools and destruction of property, there are others who are happy with the MDB’s decision. This other group, also from Vuwani and surrounding areas, have also voiced their support for the Board’s decision, though not through violence.
As government, we are mindful of this fact and have entered the negotiations with an open mind so as to arrive at a solution that will best represent the views and aspirations of all communities.
In this case we would like to commend the Traditional Leadership for exercising strategic leadership and giving direction and leading from the front in the condemnation of the blockading of roads, torching of schools and violence.
Government also commends those parents who strive for a brighter future for their children and are encouraging them to go back to school. Some parents have also gone a step further by cleaning and protecting schools, receiving mobile classrooms on their arrival, and walking their children to school.
The South African Police Service will continue to maintain their presence and assist in protecting infrastructure. Investigations and prosecutions will also continue and the perpetrators on these actions will face the full might of the law.
We therefore also call on educators to go back to school and continue with their job of providing education to learners. It is important to note that the teaching profession is a calling and an essential service that will contribute to the development of our country. We are confident, as agreed to by parents, that teaching and learning will take place in a safe environment that is conducive for education.
Moving forward, a clear plan is in place as a result of the ongoing engagements between Traditional Leaders and other stakeholders. As government, our door is always open and if there is a stakeholder that feels that they want to be part of the process, let us engage. Our discussions are truly geared to ensuring the resolution of all challenges and disputes.
At this stage, some consultations are underway and will continue into next week with all the key stakeholders.
We thank communities for allowing us an opportunity to interact and share ideas on how to move this process forward. The following communities and traditional leadership in Vuwani and the surrounding areas were engaged today:
- Masia Traditional Area
- Mashau Traditional Area
- Masia Civil Society/Structure
The Inter-Ministerial Committee also applauds the positive response from communities who came to through in all the engagements held. Working together we can build a better future for all South Africans.
Enquiries:
Legadima Leso
Cell: 082 378 9495
