Mvezo – The dream of former President Nelson Mandela of making education as a powerful weapon to change the world is being kept alive at his own birth place of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, with a state-of-the-art school built in his honour set to be opened next week.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshegka on Saturday spent the day at Makgatho Lewanika Mandela Primary School situated in Mvezo where she, among other things, participated in the fixing of the school’s fence and planting of trees in preparation of the official opening of the school by President Jacob Zuma next week.
Minister Motshekga, who was joined by Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi and Transport Minister Dipuo Peters praised the school, saying its modern infrastructure will change the face of education in the rural Mvezo.
The school, which is equipped with a computer lab, a library, science lab and sports fields, is named after Nelson Mandela’s son Makgatho, who died in 2005. It will provide much-needed education facilities in an area still marginalised and whose children were until now forced to travel long distances to access better schools.
The Department of Transport, through its entity the Airports Company South Africa, contributed computers with software, Wireless Network Cards and library books.
About 40 tablets were also donated to help reinforce e-learning at the school.
“It’s a very good school, it’s a school that has everything that is needed to equip our children with the best possible education and I am very proud of this achievement and what it will do for this community,” Minister Motshegka said.
She said the school was the best gift to Mandela, who championed education and protection of children. President Zuma is scheduled to officially open the school -- a merger between Nkwenkwezi Primary School and Mvezo Primary School with an enrolment of 600 learners – on 25 August.
“We all knew Tata as someone who stood for children and always wanted them to get the best possible education. So this school serves exactly that purpose. I am quite confident that the people of Mvezo will take care of this facility and keep it for many generations to come,” she said.
Hundreds of proud villagers gathered at the school to witness Saturday’s activities which were part of the celebration of the International Nelson Mandela Day. The day is an annual international day in honour of President Mandela which encourages all global citizens to take responsibility for improving each other's lives and addressing the world's social injustices.
Villagers in Mvezo, who braved the cold weather, helped in reinforcing the existing parameter fence of the school, participated in a cleaning campaign and the planting of 67 Umkhanyakude trees.
Locals said the school was the pride of the village and will help develop future leaders who would one day follow in the footsteps of the late Mandela.
“For us, there is nothing more important than education. We are not only investing in the future of our children but by helping out at this school, we are making sure that we are part of development that is taking place in our village and doing that in honour of our icon Mandela,” said 60-year-old Mvezo resident, Nolusapho Sakati.
Minister Motshekga said Mandela Day was a day of reflection and gratitude and thanked the people of Mvezo for coming out in their numbers to support the activities at their school.
“For us it only shows how important the people take the issue of education and it’s good that they choose to take ownership of their school,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
