LAUNCH OF THE LADYSMITH EMSCEP PROGRAMME
Initiated by Eskom Development Foundation

Thursday, 23 October 2003
Monte Vista Conference Centre, Newcastle

The Programme Director, Mr. Nhlanhla Nkosi; the Deputy Minister of Education, the Hon. Mr. M. Mangena MP; the Chief Executive Officer of Eskom Development Foundation, Ms Mabel Makibelo; His Worship the Mayor of Newcastle, Rev. BA Dlamini; Councillors present; the Chief Director for Okhahlamba Region of the Department of Education, Dr WS Mpofana; Directors and other Officials of the Department; members of the community; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

GRATITUDE TO ESKOM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

It gives me immense pleasure to rise at this time to introduce to you our Guest Speaker. However before I execute this task, allow me Mr. Programme Director to take this opportunity - on behalf the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and on behalf of educators and learners of this Region - to convey our deepest gratitude to the Eskom Development Foundation for this kind gesture, especially because as we all know, they are not obliged to do what they are doing. As we have heard, the Eskom Development Foundation has invested more than R 5 million in education, if we consider all the projects they are involved in.

Let me say to the Foundation that yours is an irrefutable demonstration of patriotism. Eskom has taken a giant leap, which is bound to improve the performance of these schools. You have helped to launch our learners into the 21^st Century technological highway which in fact is inevitable for all humanity. You have demonstrated that you do not look at us in terms of mere customers who must only provide profits for your business. You have not contributed only to the success of this Region but to the success of the whole community of KwaZulu-Natal. You do this as your contribution to the on-going campaign to improve education in this Province.

Mr. Deputy Minister, Eskom falls among the companies and organizations that realize that the task of rebuilding the country is a national job which we must face collectively. They realise that the survival and prosperity of our country depends on us ensuring collectively that we push back the frontiers of ignorance, illiteracy and lack of skills.

Mr Programme Director, Eskom’s projects are of greater significance because they focus on the improvement of Mathematics and Science.

Lest we forget, most developed economies in the world result from a rich culture of Mathematics, Science and Technology amongst the populace. For instance, all the biggest economies-the USA, Japan, Germany-have all been regularly finishing in the top 10 of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) for instance.

A comparison between these world economic giants and our country shows clearly that we still have a very long road to travel before we can be able to hold our own economically, among them. And to clearly understand the challenge that still lies before us, let me share with you the fact that although the KwaZulu-Natal Matric pass rates have been showing a steady improvement, an analysis has shown that the pass percentages in Science and Mathematics remain below 40%. Further, the analysis revealed that the larger majority of the 40% are learners from historically advantaged schools. Coupled with this, is the disturbing fact that only between 37% and 42% of Science and Mathematics teachers have the relevant qualifications to teach these subjects at secondary school level.

Such skill shortages and disparities in mathematics and science place restrictions upon our country’s economic growth and the ability to participate meaningfully in the emerging knowledge-based economy. We should always remember that our world is now the world of a global marketplace where mathematics, science, technology and innovation are calling the shots. Hence, mathematics and science education is critical to prepare our learners and nation for the 21st century.

Mr Minister, ladies and gentlemen; it is my profound belief that for South Africa to reach her final destiny where she will take her rightful place among the economic, technological and scientific giants of the world, we shall need the coming together of companies, individuals and groups that will work in partnership with government to complete the beginning we made on the 27^th of April 1994. It is more than imperative at this time of rebuilding after the destruction of apartheid oppression, that business and political leaders come together to share ideas on so many challenges we face as well as embark on joint programmes to deliver services to our people.

It is more than imperative because whether we like it or not, government - however good and noble its intentions may be - cannot single-handedly do justice to challenges of underdevelopment and discrimination spanning centuries of colonialism and decades of apartheid. Indeed it is more than imperative because willy-nilly, we will either sink or swim together. Realism tells us that if abject poverty and squalor sink our fledgling democracy, the rich and the fortunate will also not survive.

Therefore, business and all those who are fortunate owe it to their own and the country’s survival to participate in the rebuilding of South Africa and the continent. We must, as government and business, co-operate to help our people achieve economic development and progress by accessing appropriate and relevant education and training. We must steer our people away from charity and handouts towards self-reliance and empowered independence.

Eskom’s patriotic gesture is therefore a clear challenge to all in the private and corporate sectors to take part in the improvement of education and thus support the noble cause of nation-building. Let each company adopt at least one school and help it with the needs, which the government cannot provide because of budgetary constraints. Let us see libraries, laboratories, school buildings; Mathematics and Science programmes and other similar projects mushrooming with the help of those in the private and corporate sectors.

PARTNERSHIPS AMONG SCHOOLS

Having addressed myself to the business sector, allow me to turn my attention to schools. For some time now I have been urging schools to form partnerships among themselves. It is a fact of history that in this Province as well as in the whole country, we have advantaged privileged schools and the disadvantaged underprivileged schools. It is against this background that I say that there must be twinning of advantaged and disadvantaged schools. I urge the schools that, for instance, are not very successful with their results and which experience problems of indiscipline, not to be ashamed to consult with those that are successful. Let schools that have better facilities and resources share them with their less-privileged neighbours.

Ladies and gentlemen, having expressed our thanks to Eskom Development Foundation, may I now take this opportunity to introduce to you the Speaker of the Day, the Hon. Mr. Mosibudi Mangena, MP.

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