Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, points to a brighter future with young primary school learners
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, together with LeadSA and Proudly South Africa, launched a joint Mandela Day initiative at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Friday 11 July 2014.
The initiative aims to improve the literacy rate among South Africa’s youth, while preserving Nelson Mandela’s legacy. As such, the MEC called on members of the public to donate books relating to Mandela and his life, as well as to the lives and history of other liberation heroes of South Africa, to schools, libraries or other organisations in need.
A number of schools have already responded to the call and were present at the launch to hand over generous donations of reading material to the Department of Education.
The MEC was joined by honoured guests, including Advocate George Bizos, Ahmed Kathrada, LeadSA’s Yusuf Abramjee, Advocate Lesley Sedibe of Proudly South Africa and members of the Mandela family, who voiced their support for the initiative and outlined the importance of reading and education in developing our nation.
Mr Bizos gave valuable perspective on the importance teachers have as role models, drawing comparisons from his own experience growing up to that of friend and politician Popo Molefe.
The MEC called on members of the public to donate books relating to Mandela and his life, as well as to the lives and history of other liberation heroes of South Africa, to schools, libraries or other organisations in need
“Both of us went to school and furthered our education because of one important teacher in each of our lives,” he said, asserting that the influence a teacher has can never be underestimated.
In the same vein, Madiba’s great-grandson, Luvuyo Mandela, said that beyond simply encouraging children to read, adults should act as role models in making sure children see them read.
“If he [Nelson Mandela] wasn’t reading a newspaper, he was reading a book. I would see this and it was hugely encouraging.”
Mr Kathrada spoke of his time on Robben Island as a prisoner during the struggle for freedom.
“Even under adverse conditions, prison inmates would study. We would work in the sun with picks and shovels for eight hours, and then spend the night in our cells studying. Madiba was always adamant about the importance of education.
Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang escorts Advocate George Bizos to the podium
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)“Our country needs skills in every direction. With your freedom, you have a major responsibility to serve yourself and South Africa by investing in education,” he said.
Adding to this, Mr Lesufi said it is only through education that we can break the shackles of poverty in South Africa.
“Your birthplace does not determine your quality of life; your level of education does. Collectively, with partnerships like we have formed here, we can solve issues of education in South Africa.”
He added: “We have good educators in the system, but we are not rewarding them adequately and they are poached as a result. We are looking at ways to reward educators, such as making them partly or wholly exempt from tax after five years of service, for example.”
Before the proceedings drew to a close, the MEC accepted the gracious donation of books from young learners at Saheti, Rodean and Redhill primary schools – a great addition to this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day initiatives.
“In 2009, we had two cities initiating Mandela Day, being Johannesburg and New York,” said the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang. “Now in 2014, 126 countries around the world are participating, with over 1 000 global activations. This is a huge achievement.
Ahmed Kathrada, fondly referred to as 'Uncle Kathy', addresses the audience at the Mandela Day inititive launch
(Image: NMF)“We walk the long walk that Madiba left us. His walk has ended, but it’s up to us to continue in his footsteps.”
Echoing this sentiment, LeadSA’s Yusuf Abramjee said the organisation would honour its pledge in making this the biggest Mandela Day in history by taking part in numerous activities around the country.
“Let’s all join hands and see how, in each small way, we can contribute to the biggest Mandela Day we’ve ever seen. Please donate a book to your local library or school and join our pledge to keep the legacy of Madiba alive.”