SA Coat of Arms.jpg
The Presidency, Cape Town, 11 September 2014 Address by President Jacob Zuma at the official opening of the Kensington High School The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga The Premier of the Western Cape, Ms Helen Zille MEC for Education, Ms Debbie Schäfer Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Ms Alderman Patricia de Lille Principal of the school, Mr Jacobs SGB Members present Distinguished Guests Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen, I must begin by reminding us all that when the Freedom Charter was adopted on that winter day on the 26 June 1955 it proclaimed that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, both black and white. It was a serious declaration of inter-generational intent to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. The Freedom Charter further proclaimed that the Doors of Learning and Culture Shall be Open. The Constitution of the Republic also enshrines these rights, to a common nationhood and to education and other socio-economic rights. The official handover of this state-of-the-art school, here in the Western Cape, is living proof that we are on course to deliver on the demands of the people as laid down in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of the Republic. Our children should be taught in decent schools. Our teachers should work in decent schools which are conducive to learning and teaching. It is for this reason that we have embarked on a programme to replace mud schools, plankie schools and all inappropriate structures. In fact, under the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative, ASIDI, government is building in the Western Cape alone, 25 schools to replace what is known as "plankie schools" and other schools built from inappropriate materials. We have done well through ASIDI in replacing mud schools in the Eastern Cape. We are also focusing on this province as well to produce decent schools. We love all South African children. Every child is a national asset. Only a couple of weeks ago, we completed the building of an ASIDI school in Mpumalanga. It is government's apex priority to ensure that education thrives in this country. Our children should be taught in secure environments as well, which affirm their dignity as citizens of this beautiful country. This is why, in addition to providing brand new schools, ASIDI is also providing basic services to those schools that never had any. To this end and as of August this year, our schools infrastructure programme has provided access to water to 224 schools, decent sanitation to 266 schools and electricity to 265 schools. This work continues to change the future prospects of learners throughout the country. There remains a lot of work to be done still, but we derive satisfaction and encouragement from the fact that progress is being made to improve our schools and to build new schools so as to invest in the future of this country. To our learners, this is your school. We are happy to deliver it to you today. This school is your ticket to a better future. There are a few non-negotiables that I want to outline to all assembled here. Firstly let me remind you of the primary non-negotiable. All teachers and learners should be in school, in class, on time, learning and teaching for at least seven hours each day. Secondly, learners should embrace the culture of reading and respect and honour books. Thirdly, look after the school facilities, your Library and books as well as the Laboratory and all equipment in it. Lastly, I urge you to focus on gateway subjects such as Science, Technology and Mathematics. Do not fear these subjects, indicate to your teachers where you need additional assistance, it will be provided. Finally, gang membership and drug taking are a road to failure. Your best shot at success will come from within these walls. Success will come from the books that you read here every day, from doing your homework, giving your best on the sports field and following the advice of your teachers in the class room. This school and the education you will receive here provide the best opportunity for you to change your life for the better, forever. Education is your best friend. It is your ladder out of poverty. To the community, especially parents of learners in this school, you must play an active role in the life of this school in particular and education of your children in general. This may include ensuring that educators are in class on time teaching for at least seven hours a day. You have to ensure that children do their homework and arrive at school on time, pay attention during the learning process, respecting the school property and educators. Collectively, the community must ensure safety and security of this new school. You must also ensure that quality learning takes place. It is your responsibility to jealously guard these facilities as they now belong to you all. We congratulate all who have worked hard to make this project succeed. The work of building decent modern state of the art schools continues. Our investment in education will continue, as it is the primary instrument that will lift our people out of poverty and take our country forward to prosperity. I thank you. Issued by The Presidency, Pretoria -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
