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14 May 2005

Premier Molewa today officially opened Sol Plaatje Secondary School in Mafikeng. A plaque in tribute and memory of the courage and legacy of the legend and political leader Sol Plaatje was also unveiled.

Molewa said naming the school after Sol Plaatje was a very bold and courageous move.

"It is also a challenge of monumental proportions. It places a burden of responsibility on the shoulders of educators, learners and parents to match the dedication, selflessness and excellence personified by this great legend and leader of our people".

“Consistent with the principles and vision espoused by Plaatje, the school must strive to produce leaders who put the rights and plight of the poor and downtrodden ahead of their own,” Molewa said.

We must instil in our children the desire to embrace in the most vocal and practical way, the ethos of community service and personal sacrifices. This is important because Sol Plaatje was an embodiment of personal sacrifice, community service and vukuz'enzele.

"He left behind a legacy, which inspires all of us to help in the reconstruction and development of our country. Indeed, Sol Plaatje is a monument of dedication and selflessness".

Molewa said the province has produced countless professionals and leaders, many have chosen not to return and serve their people in this predominantly rural province. "Perhaps, many of these professionals have not internalised the values that defined the life of both Sol Plaatje. Sol Plaatje has shown all of us that what is more important than personal comfort is to take your skills and services to areas where the need is acute".

"As we enter the second decade of our democracy, we do so confident that we are succeeding in our collective efforts to open the doors of learning and culture to all our people, especially children. Indeed, it is not possible to eradicate a legacy of centuries of colonial and apartheid education within a space of ten years".

However, it is heartening to note that steadily, but surely, we are winning the battle to create a more equal and quality education system. The progress we have made thus far is a clear and unequivocal demonstration of the benefits of a people's contract to improve the education of our children.

Though a number of challenges still lie ahead, the provincial government is satisfied that a culture of learning and teaching has been entrenched in the schools.

She added that the progress made in education over the last ten years has dealt a decisive blow to the remnants of apartheid education. Sol Plaatje Secondary School must play its part in sustaining these positive developments and strive to be a leader in education excellence. Through their performance and conduct, learners from the school must send a loud and unequivocal message that they refuse to be made permanent drawers of water and hewers of wood as the architects of apartheid education had designed.

We need to acknowledge that fundamental challenges still remain. Some uncomfortable observations need to be made and fundamental changes implemented if we are to move education into a higher trajectory of performance.

Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson: North West Province
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063

Enquiries:
Daisy Tsengiwe
Media Relations Officer
Tel: (018) 387 3156

Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
14 May 2005