Programme Director,
Chair of the Portfolio Committee, Honourable Kubayi
MEC for Education, Mrs Reginah Mhaule,
SITA Chairperson, Mr Jerry Vilakazi
Learners and educators,
Members of the community,

I’m glad to be here on this momentous occasion. The 18th of July is recognised by the United Nations as International Mandela Day in honour of our beloved Tata Madiba. Today is the first time that we celebrate this day without our cherished icon. Let us work together so that his name is remembered for centuries to come. We have decided to use our 67 minutes to improve the lives of the learners at Mshadza Senior School, in keeping with the mandate of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services. 

As you may know, on Wednesday, the Department hosted its Budget Vote speech. One of our key deliverables is ensuring the rollout of our national broadband policy, SA Connect. Our target is to ensure 100 percent broadband coverage by 2020. This will include connecting all schools, health facilities and government institutions. 

The connecting of schools remains one of our top priorities, largely because of its positive impact on education. In the last financial year we connected 1 650 schools. In the past five years, working with the ICT industry, we have helped connect 8 491 schools. I am aware that not all these schools are utilising their facilities as effectively as we had hoped. The Department has started an audit of the schools we have connected to identify the challenges they face. 

Nevertheless, we have heard the good stories about the establishment of computer labs and the provision of internet facilities, especially in poorer areas. The new-found access to the Internet has opened up a new world for many learners. I am told that after the installation of internet facilities, learners come early to school and leave late – precisely because they now want to spend more time learning. This is what we hope will also happen in Mshadza.

Today, with SITA, we are here to open a fully equipped computer laboratory at Mshadza Senior School. The ICT lab includes 30 personal computers and related equipment such as  a printer, smart board, projector and 2 laptops, as well as desks and chairs. SITA will also provide training to all teachers and learners. I hope the community of Mshadza utilises this facility to its full potential. The facility should not only be for the use of learners, but should also benefit the community. 

The next CEO of SITA should come from this village. To the community, please support your children – these facilites are similar to those found in richer schools. Let’s make the most of this. To SITA thank you for your assistance in helping to build a better South Africa. Please continue with the monitoring and also safeguarding of these facilities. 

I want to come back here and see what progress has been made. I want to see both learners and teachers produce even better results than the 75 percent matric pass rate of last year. 

One of the Department’s priorities in terms of our broadband policy, SA Connect, is the development of skills that are vital for the optimal use of ICT. Earlier this year we launched the Ikamva National e-Skills Institute or iNeSI as it is known. The amalgamated body will drive the expansion of e-skills throughout the country. I must mention that the iNeSI model was endorsed by the International Telecommunication Union and recommended as one to be adopted by developing countries.  

In November we will host the third national e-Skills Summit. A report by the ITU entitled, ‘Digital Opportunities: Innovative ICT Solutions for Youth Employment’ was launched earlier this year. The report highlights ways in which ICTs can reduce youth unemployment, by promoting digital literacy skills and supporting innovation hubs and holding mobile app competitions. I’m glad to say that many of these are part and parcel of iNeSI’S operations. I hope that iNeSI can also work with SITA in making sure that this lab is utilised to its full potential. Let us ensure that we involve the youth of this area in more than just using computers to facilitate education. Let us instill in our children the love for programming and app development from an early age.

Today is about more than providing a computer lab. It is about becoming part of the global movement for good. Let us all see what we can do in our lives to ‘Take Action’ and ‘Inspire change.’

Today is also about responding to President Jacob Zuma’s call to clean our communities. This creates a conducive atmosphere for healthier communities and the development of our children.

I thank you.