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29 September 2005

The successful conclusion of the three-day long conference of Representative Council of Learners (RCL) yesterday, is a significant step towards the finalisation of the provincial association of learners.

The conference, which started on Monday, 26 September, brought together more than 300 learners from all the Education Management and Development Centres in the metropole and rural areas.

Representative Councils of Learners are provided for in the South African Schools Act and other legislation. In many of our schools across the province, RCLs exist and function in varying degrees. However, this is the first time ever that they have met on this basis, and it was evident that the learners welcomed this opportunity.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) welcomes the election of the interim body. We look forward to be working with the learners in pursuit of our vision of building a Learning Home for All.

Whilst this is our vision, the provincial government has adopted an economic development plan, Ikapa Elihlumayo, to arrive at this vision. Developing human and social capital are key objectives of Ikapa Elihlumayo. The formation of the provincial RCL represents a key step in developing capacity and networks.

This is an exciting opportunity for the learners themselves to mould their leadership and organisational skills, and be a partner in the building of a democratic quality public education system. The interim council will work towards the finalisation of the constitution, policies, budget and programme of action, and the finalisation of a duly elected provincial executive council.

The interim council reflects the profile of all the schools in the province, and, significantly, half are girls. This clearly is a positive step in building an equal society.

Many challenges await the body, but the WCED is committed to ensure that it is able to deliver on its basic mandate, and in doing so, assist in fostering a culture of democracy from an early age.

The first elected Interim Chairperson is Albertus Duba (083 977 7713) from Cape Town High School. The other members are:

Breede River/Overberg EMDC
Name: Ryan Africa
Contact: 072 731 0990
School: Langeberg Secondary

Name: Lerié Louw
Contact: 084 448 5677
School: Robertson High School

Name: Irwill Adonis
Contact: (028) 251 8119
School: Emil Weder High School

Name: Stevencia Schippers
Contact: 073 239 3739
School: Pionier School

Metropole North EMDC
Name: Sibongakonke Mama
Contact: 084 735 7931 / (021) 591 2009
School: Edgemead High

Name: Eilhaam Moose
Contact: 082 842 3047/ (021) 511 1912
School: Buren

Name: Ernest van Sitters
Contact: 072 247 3718/ (021) 952 5189
School: Bellvile South

Name: Hilton Packies
Contact: (021) 934 8584/9326
School Bishop Lavis

Metropole East EMDC
Name: Neliswa Tamte
Contact: 083 634 2737
School: Matthew Goniwe

Name: Dominique Wesso
Contact: 084 755 0562
School: Bernadino Heights

Name: Xolisa Sgam
Contact: 083 712 4093
School: Hector Petersen

Name: Benjamin Zantsi
Contact: (021) 361 4539
School: Bulumko

Metropole Central EMDC
Name: Albertus Duba
Contact: 083 977 7713 / 073 634 3466
School: Cape Town High

Name: Wiesaal Toefy
Contact: 082 842 4386
School: Belgravia High

Name: Calvin Klein
Contact: 082 713 0173 / (021) 447 0852
School: Queens Park High

Name: Tasneem Shadrach
Contact: 073 372 3102
School: Alexander Sinton

Metropole South
Name: Gillion Bosman
Contact: 072 277 1422
School: Sibelius

Name: Amanda Filtane
Contact: 073 795 8885
School: Sophumelela

Name: Thulani Masinda
Contact: (021) 637 2457
School: Gugs Comprehensive

Name: Nathalie Nutt
Contact: 083 722 6029
School: Mondale High

West Coast/Winelands EMDC
Name: Gescha Davids
Contact: 072 596 5361 / (021) 887 3801
School: Bloemhof Meisiesskool

Name: William Muller
Contact: 072 500 8602
School: Uitkyk Primary

Name: Gerhard van Eeden
Contact: (022) 488 22413/ 084 400 1042
School: Hoërskool Swartland

Name: Ronel Muller
Contact: (022) 723 0040 / 073 248 5789
School: Hoërskool Hopefield

South Cape/Karoo EMDC
Name: Lumkwana Luvuyo
Contact: (044) 693 1292
School: Indwe

Name: Josephine Jacobs
Contact: 082 847 8923
School: Knysna Secondary

Name: Luzaan Dudley
Contact: 084 271 3095
School: George High

Name: Denwill Smith
Contact: 073 498 8414
School: Bastiaanse High

Enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938.
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
29 September 2005