Remarks by the mayor of KwaDukuza at the occasion of the KwaDukuza Matric Excellence Awards ceremony held at KwaDukuza Town Hall on 01 March 2024

Programme Director, Cllr. S. Cele

Municipal councillors present;

Education District Director, Dr. Madondo;

KwaDukuza Circuit led by Mr. Z Gumede;

Leadership of SADTU and NATU;

KwaDukuza Youth Council;

School governing bodies;

School Principals;

Government officials;

Parents and guardians present;

Current and former learners;

Esteemed guests;

Members of media;

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the council of KwaDukuza for joining the youth of KwaDukuza together with their families, and the department of education in celebrating the Class of 2023. This momentous occasion should serve as a reminder of the exceptional efforts made by each and every one of you.

Today’s occasion resonates with the historic call from our struggle stalwarts who met in Kliptown during 1955 to reject the injustices of apartheid.

The generation of 1955 did not only chart a way forward in the nations rise from shackles of Apartheid – but also gave birth to the freedom charter which led the road towards democracy that we continue to enjoy even today.

 

It was the freedom charter which affirmed that the People Shall Govern, it was the Freedom Charter which acknowledged that there Shall be Peace and Friendship and it was the Freedom Charter which declared that the Doors of Learning and Culture Shall be Opened!

 

We, as the younger generations which preceded the generation of 1955, should know very well the cost of the anti-apartheid struggle for the nation’s liberation and importantly, for the right to access to quality and free education.

 

The late Chief Albert Luthuli who in his early life was a teacher would take pride of Ilembe District which was this year - ranked the third highest performer in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

 

The district received an impressive pass rate of 88.6%. It is worth noting that we have made a remarkable improvement of 4.7% from the previous year's result of 83.9%. The attainment of this outcome is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire community and a nation at large. Without a doubt, we are witnessing a momentous occasion in our nation's history, marking a significant milestone since the dawn of democracy. 

We should be reminded of the dedicated work of Luthuli who is the son of the soil of Groutville who contributed immensely towards the construction of a prosperous society - using the African National Congress as a vehicle for social transformation. Luthuli amongst others devoted their entire lives for the emancipation of all Africans and the younger generation should draw from his examples. 

 

Let us continue to build on the legacy of Luthuli, as our hero and as our inspiration. The government since the dawn of democracy placed education as a cornerstone for social transformation.

The year 2024 is an important year in the history of democracy as we mark its 30th anniversary. The year 2024 presents an opportunity for South Africans and government to reflect on progress over past three decades – and an opportunity to assess challenges.

As we celebrate our achievements as a nation, we should be mindful of the fact that we have stood with the underprivileged, we have stood with the previously disadvantaged, and we continue to hold hands with those who are in search for better opportunities. In the course of the past three decades under the leadership of the current government of the ANC, the life of a black South African has significantly improved.

Thanks to the leadership of the ANC led by Chief Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, President Mandela amongst others who steered the nations dream of democratizing our economy, our political environment, and our social freedoms.

As a government, continue to recognize education as our foremost priority. We recognize that a strong educational system is essential for creating a well-informed nation that is able to pursue its dreams to Build a Better Africa and better world.

The President has declared 29 May 2024 as election day – let us seize the opportunity of the general election in order to reaffirm our faith in democracy and deepen its foundation.

Allow us to solidifying our accomplishments and help us to deliver on our promises while addressing injustices of the past.

Ladies and gentlemen, we cast our eyes to the many frontiers of the world, including the middle east where genocide is aided in Gaza and unabated by world powers in the likes of the United States - South Africans in this regard have remained true to the course of justice.

This is accordingly the reason why our forebears stood still in the face of the apartheid oppressors. The generation which ushered in the Freedom Charter did not only to pave the way for a democracy but also secured a prosperous future for generations that followed.

Programme Director allow me to take this opportunity to recognise one of the many Top Achievers for the 2024 Matric Excellence Awards.

I wish to call upon to the podium Mr. Sifundo Mthembu of Groutville High School who is the Top achiever in the district.

1.   Sifundo Mthembu will be receiving a R10 000.00 voucher towards his education. Mthembu will be studying Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

2.   In the category of the most improved School, I wish to call upon the Principal of Tshelenkosi Secondary, Mr. Sibisi or his representative to the podium. Tshelenkosi Secondary obtained a 92.8% pass rate. The school will be receiving a voucher amounting to R 6,000.00.

3.   For the category of Best Performing School in 2023, I invite the Principal of Banguni Secondary to come forth to represent his school for being head and shoulders above other schools in KwaDukuza local Municipality. Banguni will be receiving a voucher amounting to R 6,000.00.

As you stand before me, I also wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Madondo, the District Director of Education, for successfully reviving the iLembe district as a hub of educational excellence. This achievement is attributed to the outstanding performance of the Matric Class of 2023 in the National Senior Certificate results.

To all educators and practitioners in the education value chain, we deeply value your enthusiasm and dedication in honoring the history and heritage of the nation through its leaders and your unwavering commitment to education. Your interest in ensuring that this history and legacy passed down from generation to another is greatly appreciated, both by us and by the future audience.

 

Importantly, former students remain a catalysts for change in the future. Therefore, this event and other initiatives are to instill hope for a brighter South Africa, underscoring the crucial role of high-quality education in equipping professionals to combat diseases, address poverty, and tackle other global challenges.

 

We celebrate these successes during difficult times in our economy; we do so at the height of poverty, alarming rate of unemployment and notable inequalities as a direct result of the apartheid disparities.

As government, we continue to bring hope and dignity to our communities. We strongly believe that societies thrive when education is given priority, and this serves as this serves a fundamental pillar for building a better future.

As an example, this year, my office will be providing support to 600 underprivileged students from various backgrounds as we carry out the annual Dress-A-Child programme. Although it may not entirely relieve the financial burden on parents or guardians, it unquestionably symbolizes a noteworthy step toward achieving that objective.

Last month, I accorded 106 exceptional students with R8000.00 registration fees so that they too can be able to enter public education institutions of their choice.

These interventions play a crucial role in ensuring a fair distribution of resources within the education sector, bridging the gap between those who have and those who do not. As a result, underprivileged individuals will experience a substantial increase in self-confidence.

I wish to singularly emphasize that access to education does not only bring hope for a better Africa but also promotes a better world. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on your achievement and also celebrate your successful admission to your respective higher education institutions in 2024.

Thanks to the council of KwaDukuza which took the decision to establish and support education orientated initiatives as part of promoting the very fundamental values espoused in the Freedom Charter, This decision reaffirms the historical course that was set forth by our predecessors who convened in Kliptown in 1955.

We express our utmost gratitude to the parents and guardians who have consistently supported their students.

 

We send our heartfelt greetings to the headmaster/mistresses, school governing bodies, and other entities that contribute to the education system.

 

Entirely, we would like commend the matric class of 2023 for their remarkable accomplishments, as they have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity during these uncertain times.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to join us in commemorating the impact of Luthuli, who dedicated his life to liberating the people of South Africa from the oppressive grip of Apartheid. His unwavering commitment has paved the way for a lasting-legacy, fostering a unified and democratic South Africa that promotes peace and harmony.

 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you and offer our sincerest well wishes for the future ahead.

Ends

Enquiries: Sphe Ngobese | 073 784 7822 | sphelelon@kwadukuza.gov.za