25 April 2008, Sebokeng
Programme Director
Fellow MEC's: Nomvula Mokonyane: Housing,Brian Hlongwa: Health, Ignatius Jacobs: Public Transport, Roads & Works
Representatives of GPG Departments
Principal, teachers and learners of Ekujuleni Primary
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
This day marks another milestone in our endeavours as government to deliver quality services to our people. This is the culmination of a collaborative effort by the different departments in the Gauteng provincial government to make good our promises on the 20 Prioritised Township Project.
This joint intergovernmental programme aims at rehabilitating existing socio-economic infrastructure to townships that were built before 1960. At least one of these targeted townships, Orlando, was built in the 1930's.
This project affords us the opportunity as government to realize our ideal of 'fighting poverty and building sustainable communities' and also to be 'an effective and caring government'. The renewal of infrastructure in our townships will help restore the dignity of our people.
Ekujuleni, you should be proud to be the beneficiaries of this project. As your school name suggests: You drink knowledge very deeply. You will be able get to the depths of knowledge in an environment conducive to learning. The revamped school will go a long way towards helping the GDE to realise our goal of providing schools closest to where learners live.)
We as school communities need to guard our institutions jealously to ensure that they are not vandalized. We can do this by making our schools centres of community life and making communities identify with and want to protect these resources for future generations.
We need to provide facilities and opportunities for our learners such that, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi: 'They learn as if they were to live forever '
We are celebrating today. Let us enjoy the school, the clinic and other infrastructure responsibly. As the Zulu proverb goes: Ukwanda kwaliwa umthakathi! (Only a witch or wizard does not appreciate good deeds).
Thank you.