Pretoria – Education is the only way in which young South Africans and future generations can liberate themselves from the ripple effects of the apartheid economic exclusion.
Speaking at the annual lecture of the late struggle stalwart Walter Sisulu, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said the only way young South Africans can address socio-economic challenges is through education.
Motlanthe said this when addressing members of the South African Student Congress (Sasco) at the University of South Africa on Friday.
“Unlike the generation of comrade Walter Sisulu, to whom the government of the day never intended to extend formal education, the current South African youth are living under a democratic government to whose policies they are able make a contribution.
“Understanding that education is important for the future development of our country, our government has, within its limitations, placed education as an apex priority,” he said.
Motlanthe’s statement comes at a time that poverty, inequalities and youth unemployment remains the main challenge to South Africa’s economy, with latest figures from Statistics South Africa showing that some 4.6 million South Africans are without work.
Motlanthe said these social ills, which are a legacy of the apartheid regime that denied black people from getting formal education and from effectively participating in the economy, can be reversed through education.
“Furthermore, education is the basis of de-racialising the class structure of society by broadening the scope of social privileges, drawing in those who had for a long time been excluded from the social mainstream and therefore representing the only possibility to break inter-generational poverty.
“Not only that, through education, some of the social pathologies embedded in human history can be eliminated for good. I am reminded in this regard of the intractable issue of gender inequality, which derives from primeval cultural consciousness manifested in macho, paternalistic practices,” he said.
Motlanthe told Sasco youths that they, along with all young people, should strive to educate themselves to not only carry the legacy left by the likes of Sisulu, amongst others, but to make life better for their children and grandchildren.
“Various advances have been made in ensuring full and free access at the basic education level, including the provision of no-fee schools and providing nutrition programmes.
“Admittedly, we have not moved fast enough in the sphere of higher education but are making strides to promote further access.
“As such, you are privileged because the democratic government is investing in your future, understanding the role of education in social transformation.
“This in turn places a huge responsibility on Sasco and the South African youth in general to seek knowledge and skills so that they can rise to the demands of their generation.” – SAnews.gov.za
