President Jacob Zuma yesterday hailed a new school in former president Nelson Mandela’s birthplace as a “fitting tribute” to the global icon’s legacy.
Zuma, who attended the official opening of the R30-million Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School, urged Mvezo children to use education as a “ladder” out of poverty.
Flanked by Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, Zuma officially unveiled a plaque to much fanfare.
Zuma made reference to one of Mandela’s many quotes when he said the school would ensure that those born in Mvezo “never; never again shall they become hewers of wood and drawers of water”.
“We expect the next generation of Mvezo children to take up their rightful place in commerce, academia, leadership and the advancement of human rights and dignity,” he said.
Zuma praised the Mvezo Traditional Council’s efforts to boost education in the area following the construction of the Mandela School of Science and Technology and Nolusapho Early Childhood Development Centre.
He highlighted a number of strides which he said had been made in the education sector.
He said Grade R enrolments increased from 300000 to 700000 between 2003 and 2011, eight million children had free education and another nine million were saved from starvation through the national school nutrition programme.
The Chung Hon Dak Foundation, a Hong Kong-based donor non-governmental organisation, donated R30-million for the facility which boasts a library, computer and science lab, a kitchen and a tennis court.
Jacqueline Chung of the foundation said the school was their second charity initiative in Africa.
“It is an honour to be associated with the name of Mandela. We are not here for profit but to help develop society,” she said.
Mandla urged pupils to refrain from using drugs and alcohol.
“Many of our Madiba families have almost been destroyed because of such,” he warned.
He announced that he had secured a place for 30 pupils to study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University next year.
The new school is named after Sefako Makgatho, second president of the ANC, Zambian King Lubosi Lewanika and the country’s first democratically elected president.
Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle said the gesture would enable children from rural areas to “lead and walk” in the footsteps of South Africa’s great leaders. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Zuma opens new school in Mvezo
Zuma, who attended the official opening of the R30-million Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School, urged Mvezo children to use education as a “ladder” out of poverty.
Flanked by Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, Zuma officially unveiled a plaque to much fanfare.
Zuma made reference to one of Mandela’s many quotes when he said the school would ensure that those born in Mvezo “never; never again shall they become hewers of wood and drawers of water”.
“We expect the next generation of Mvezo children to take up their rightful place in commerce, academia, leadership and the advancement of human rights and dignity,” he said.
Zuma praised the Mvezo Traditional Council’s efforts to boost education in the area following the construction of the Mandela School of Science and Technology and Nolusapho Early Childhood Development Centre.
He highlighted a number of strides which he said had been made in the education sector.
He said Grade R enrolments increased from 300000 to 700000 between 2003 and 2011, eight million children had free education and another nine million were saved from starvation through the national school nutrition programme.
The Chung Hon Dak Foundation, a Hong Kong-based donor non-governmental organisation, donated R30-million for the facility which boasts a library, computer and science lab, a kitchen and a tennis court.
Jacqueline Chung of the foundation said the school was their second charity initiative in Africa.
“It is an honour to be associated with the name of Mandela. We are not here for profit but to help develop society,” she said.
Mandla urged pupils to refrain from using drugs and alcohol.
“Many of our Madiba families have almost been destroyed because of such,” he warned.
He announced that he had secured a place for 30 pupils to study at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University next year.
The new school is named after Sefako Makgatho, second president of the ANC, Zambian King Lubosi Lewanika and the country’s first democratically elected president.
Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle said the gesture would enable children from rural areas to “lead and walk” in the footsteps of South Africa’s great leaders. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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