President Jacob Zuma today successfully hosted the 15th Jacob G Zuma RDP Education Trust Children and Youth's Christmas Outreach event at KwaNxamalala in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Established in 1995 to assist orphans and children from poor families who could not afford school and higher education fees, the Education Trust has educated more than 20 000 children and students including graduates in Accounting, Education, Architectural Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Marketing, Law, Science and Technology.
Close to twenty (20) beneficiaries were introduced to the community, with some relating their plight and poor family backgrounds and how the Jacob G Zuma RDP Education Trust came to their rescue by helping them obtain education to become bread winners and thus uplift their families from poverty.
The beneficiaries included Mr Mvuyo Makhasi, a Wits University graduate in Biomedical Engineering; Ms Hlobisile Mngwengwe, who graduated in Architectural Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal as well as Mr Mhlengi Ntenza who successfully completed a BCom Accounting degree from Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape.
"We are very pleased to see that the Education Trust we started in 1995 has grown in leaps and bounds and has helped to assist many families who could otherwise not afford the education of their children. I have always believed that by educating even one child, we are able to help not only the individual family but also the community around that family as well as the South African society at large," said President Zuma.
The President said that "education is the greatest enabler of development as it allowed people to grow and reach heights that were unimaginable without education. I am also pleased that among the graduates today are those who studied and successfully completed degrees and diplomas in science and technology. Such skills and qualifications are necessary for the country's economic growth and development."
President Zuma thanked the children and their parents for attending the event and further encouraged all the members of the business community to continue to assist the Trust as well as help the graduates find employment.
The children were entertained by a host of popular musical groups including Zakwe, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Ifani, Thokozani Langa, DJ Merlon featuring Mondli and many others. They also received Christmas gift packs of food, sweets, toys and other essentials. Thanks
The event was attended by a number of Ministers including Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Labour Minister Mildred Olifant, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister David van Rooyen, Deputy Minister Ellen Molekane, Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize as well as Premiers of Northern Cape and North West provinces, MECs, mayors, councillors and political leadership of the governing African National Congress.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
