Speaking notes of MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi at the occasion of Departmental Nelson Mandela Day Celebration, Greater Taung Local Municipality...

          Programme Directors, Ms Dintle Tumagole and Rre Ntogelang Tumelo
          Mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality,
          Ward Councillors
          Head of Department (HOD), Mr Moses Kgantsi
          Principal of Reivilo High School, Mr Tosi Mokgara
          Centre Manager, Ms Xoliswa Mokhobo and Staff of the Centre
          School Governing Body
          Senior Manager of the Department and
          Staff in the Office of the MEC,
          Ladies and Gentleman
          Good morning

We meet two days after global celebrations of Nelson Mandela Day under the theme  “The Legacy Lives Through You: Climate, Food and Solidarity”. Celebrating the life and legacy of the late liberation struggle veteran and international icon, President Nelson Mandela is a national duty for all us. This year we are challenged to heed the call “It is on your hands”. It is also worth noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Madiba’s passing which is preceded by the 29th anniversary of our freedom, which we celebrated under theme “Consolidating and Safeguarding Democratic Gains”.

Programme Director, I must take this opportunity to appreciate that though we could not celebrate when everyone else was doing their bit to honour uTata, we managed to create time to play our part in the service of others. It is President Nelson Mandela who said "There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return”.

This morning, we began celebrating Madiba by a school visit to Reivilo High. Looking at the history of our country and the role education continue to play in self-emancipation, it is important that we ensure that we continue to make space of education conducive for our children and communities. Ntate Nelson Mandela believed in education and encouraged everyone, young and old to go to school as the benefits are immeasurable. We visited the school as part of the Departments’ Schools Maintenance Programme. This is the second school in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District that we will be adopting under this programme. We also have Tong Comprehensive School in Ganyesa and Loula Fourie in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. I must also send my appreciation to the school’s Principal and Teachers at Reivilo for having achieved a 100% pass rate in 2022.

I want to thank the District for having begun the work already ahead of time so that this morning we could only see progress and consider what else to do in the future. I have seen that other maintenance work at the school have been completed, including repairs and replacement of critical part such as doors and basins at teachers, boys’ and girls’ lavatories. The other work is in progress including the repairs that will be done at the school’s hostels. In line with our mandate we also continued our pothole patching and road maintenance programme on the roads leading to town, Voortrekker Street in Reivilo. I have noted the report that the road might require rehabilitation. We need to collective work together with the Greater Taung Local Municipality in this regard and ensure that we deliver quality roads for our people.

The 2023 Nelson Mandela month focuses on dismantling poverty and inequality by taking action against climate change and creating resilient food environments. It is in this context that we have identified the Lokgabeng Disability Centre as one of the places to celebrate Mandela Day. I must also thank the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for donation of seedlings for the purpose of the vegetable gardens. I am also briefed of the intervention by Social Development and the donation that will be made to some of the families in the Greater Taung Local Municipality. We thank the Department for being able to avail the relevant professional as and when we request them to do so. To the management of Lokgabeng Disability Centre, I have received the profile of the centre and I must hasten to say the work that you are doing in impeccable (you deserve a round of applause). Taking the centre from where it was during inception in 2001 to hosting close to 60 beneficiaries is commendable. We will today spend the Mandela Day with you because we believe that our democratic dispensation requires that we do not leave anyone behind. We are working hard to tailor-make our programmes as the Department to include all people, and I have during our departmental meeting stressed the important of including people with disabilities and ensure gender mainstreaming in all our projects.

The country is moving at the requisite speed to address the injustice of the past as fought against by Madiba and many others. Yesterday was another milestone in our democracy when President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the South African Sign Language Bill during a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This follows approval by the National Assembly on 02 May 2023, that Section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 be amended to include South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language to promote the rights of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language is an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ms Tumagole, Director of Special Programmes; I am directing that we move hastily to ensure that all our events have sign language interpreter in line with this legislation, especially when there is an identified need.
 

Today is more about celebrating, and therefore I will conclude my address by asking that we continue our efforts to better the lives of others. Let Nelson Mandela’s legacy live through you.

Thank you.

 

 Ends

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