Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabathe, in his State of the Province Address on Friday, called on the people of Limpopo to continue promoting unity, peace and social cohesion in honour of Madiba.
Premier Mathabathe said the late former President Nelson Mandela was an embodiment of the three ideals.
Speaking in the Provincial Legislature, Premier Mathabathe urged the province’s people to continue the relentless fight against corruption because Madiba loathed corruption.
“We must indeed never rest until our people are free from poverty, inequality, and are enjoying equal access to opportunities.
“Our fight against the persisting and deep-seated triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality starts with the improvement of the quality and the outcomes of our education system,” Premier Mathabathe said.
He commended government on the recent announcement of fee-free education.
“Our children should indeed be able to access education, including higher education, regardless of their family backgrounds. The days of education being an exclusive commodity and preserve for the privileged few are over,” he said.
The provincial government is committed to providing scholar transport for those learners whose nearest schools are 5km or more away from their homes.
Last year the provincial government provided scholar transport to 255 schools across the province. “This year we are increasing the number of schools which will benefit from scholar transport to 380,” he said.
This year 3 800 schools will benefit from the provisioning of meals as per the National Schools Nutrition Programme, which plays an important role in ensuring the improvement of learner attendance and contributing towards effective learning.
The province will also building the work done to improve school infrastructure. “Our work will include the building of new classrooms, new schools and the refurbishment and maintenance of existing infrastructure,” Premier Mathabathe said.
The provincial government will be expanding the connection of potable water and decent sanitation facilities to more schools.
This year it will connect 134 schools with drinking water and decent sanitation facilities and build 400 new classrooms, 100 specialist rooms, 9 new schools and 50 Grade R classrooms and also renovate 100 schools.
A total of 41 459 more learners will benefit from the no-fee-school policy.
“There is no doubt that we are well on track in realising the ideals of our forebears by opening the doors of learning and culture in our country,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
