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JOHANNESBURG, March 22nd, 2024 – There has been a marked increase in early onset cancer, particularly amongst Millennials. Age-risk factors have lowered from an average age of fifty years, two decades ago, to an alarming and emerging group, twenty-five- to twenty-nine-year-olds, where cancer rates have risen faster than other age groups (1). “While the risk …
Welcome to a world where your windows and glass doors transcend their mere functionality and become canvases for creativity. At Window Art, we understand the desire to transform spaces into reflections of personal or brand identity. With our expertise in vinyl frosting, we offer a solution that goes beyond mere decoration—it’s a statement. Why Vinyl …
Conservationists mount legal challenge to environment minister’s decision to declare “biologically meaningless” closed fishing areas around breeding islands as part of her penguin conservation strategy
SA marks World Water Day
Today South Africa joins the globe in marking World Water Day which is celebrated annually on 22 March.
South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chairperson, Professor Bongani Ncube has underscored the need to improve access to productive water across South Africa’s disadvantaged communities.
“I’m talking about water for productivity, water for agriculture, [and] water that will take people out of poverty,” Professor Ncube said.
The SARChI was established in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The main goal of the Research Chairs initiative is to strengthen and improve research and innovation capacity of public universities for producing high quality postgraduate students and research and innovation outputs.
Ncube is based at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Centre for Water and Sanitation Research, under the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
She is a Chairperson under the Department of Science and Innovation and the NRF (DSI-NRF) SARChI, established by the Science and Innovation and the National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2006.
Ncube said the country still has issues in these areas because the licensing process has not worked for many communities for a long time.
“The compulsory licensing, validation and verification processes, which were supposed to enable the release of excess water to communities, has not worked very well. The process has improved but we still have many communities that do not have access to productive water.
“At the household level, there are municipalities where access to basic water and sanitation services has become a challenge. That is why you see these water protests in South Africa,” Ncube said.
This year’s World Water Day is observed under the theme, 'Leveraging Water for Peace', which encourages communities and countries to use water as a tool for peace, when cooperating over this precious shared resource.
READ | DWS kick-starts National Water Month
Ncube said South Africa relates to the 2024 global theme at both household and broader community levels because of its historical past, and also in terms of economic advancement, which brings under the spotlight policy shifts required to redress past access patterns.
“South Africa has a very complicated history when it comes to access to resources, including water. The historical access [which] dates back centuries when water access mechanisms favoured the more privileged white communities, remains a challenged,” said Ncube.
After 1994, policies, legislation, and strategies were developed to make water equitably accessible to everyone.
Ncube noted that access to productive water in some communities has improved following the enactment of the National Water Act of 1998, which aims to reform the laws related to water, including redress of past racial and gender discrimination; promotion of equitable access to water; and facilitation of social and economic development.
Draft National Water Amendment Bill
Ncube commended the Draft National Water Amendment Bill, which was published in the Government Gazette for public comment on 17 November 2023.
“One of the intentions of that Bill is to redress the past inequity and to achieve equitable access for all communities. There are efforts that are taking place at the moment. The Bill is being revised to ensure that those water allocation issues that were not addressed by the National Water Act of 1998 are addressed.”
Provision of basic water to households has vastly improved since 1994.
According to Statistics South Africa data, 88.7% of the country’s households had access to water by 2021.
“Climate change and drought add a further layer of complication when it comes to water access. But it is important for government to realise that, while situations like that occur, it is the poor that are the most affected and it is important that measures are put in place in terms of providing access,” Ncube said.– SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 03/22/2024 - 12:48
Unhappiness over fisheries department’s boat allocations
Black industrialists part of a broader journey of social, economic transformation
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government, private sector stakeholders and civil society have come together to create an enabling environment for black industrialists to thrive.
“By working hand in hand, we have been able to dismantle barriers, foster mentorship and provide access to markets, funding and resources essential for business growth and sustainability,” President Ramaphosa said.
Addressing the Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference at the Sandton Convention Center on Wednesday, the President said the journey of black industrialists is part of the broader journey of social and economic transformation in South Africa.
“This is evident in the fact that South Africans are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy has increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. Maternal and infant deaths have declined dramatically,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa said households that resided in formal dwellings increased sharply from 65 percent in 1996 to more than 88 percent in 2022.
“Access to electricity for lighting has increased from 58 percent of households in 1996 to nearly 95 percent in 2022. The percentage of persons aged 20 years and older who completed secondary education more than doubled from 16 percent in 1996 to more than 37 percent in 2022.
“Our economy has tripled in size since 1994, and while unemployment still remains high, the number of South Africans in employment increased from eight million in 1994 to over 16.7 million now.
“The proportion of jobs in executive management held by black people increased almost five-fold between 1996 and 2016,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa said the progress points to the work the country has undertaken to give effect to the constitutional injunction to promote the achievement of equality.
“And to give effect to the core goals of that legislation, government formally launched the black industrialist programme in 2016,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said the impact of the investment by the black industrialists is clear from more than R100 billion in turnover generated by these businesses each year and by more than 100 000 direct jobs sustained in their factories, mines and farms.
“Over the course of the last five years, we have worked to deepen these efforts. At the start of this administration in 2019, we began to develop master plans in different sectors of the economy, ranging from clothing to sugar, from autos and steel to poultry.
“These masterplans have specific and dedicated sections dealing with the promotion of black industrialists. The black industrialist programme itself has also gone a long way in promoting meaningful participation in the economy by women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“We need to scale up the number of black industrialists that are supported directly by government through various forms of support, including finance, regulatory measures and partnership arrangements through masterplans,” President Ramaphosa said.
He added that the Department of Small Business Development has supported large numbers of micro and small businesses. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/20/2024 - 15:40
25 cyclists from the Nedbank Sports Trust Cycling Development Programme completed the 109 km CTCT, which is far more than an epic challenge for cyclists. For them, it’s about changing lives in communities beset by gangsterism, crime, violence, and teenage pregnancies. ‘The pride on their faces at the end of the race was the greatest …
South Africans called to observe International Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has called on South Africans to observe International Down Syndrome Awareness Day which is concurrent with the commemoration of Human Rights Day.
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics, or health.
According to the Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA) organisation, down syndrome affects about 1 in 500 births in South Africa. This means that approximately 1 in every 600 children is born with down syndrome, which is a high incidence rate.
“The Observation of International Down Syndrome Awareness Day on the 21st of March 2024 is concurrent with the commemoration of Human Rights Day.
“Government calls on South Africans to observe the day in line with the call made by the Bill of Rights that says: ‘The right to life is the most basic, the most fundamental, the most primordial and supreme right which human beings are entitled to have and without which the protection of all other human rights becomes either meaningless or less effective’,” Minister Dlamini Zuma said.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa protects persons with disabilities from discrimination. The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act also prohibits unfair discrimination against persons with disabilities.
Protecting and promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities is an underlying principle in all the Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Notably, Article 4 unambiguously commits States Parties to ensure and promote the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind, based on disability, and to protect all persons against violation of their human rights.
“There are still many misconceptions about down syndrome and those who have it. Observing the day will dispel some of the common myths about down syndrome, including one that says children with down syndrome are born to older parents. We call on stakeholders and roleplayers to work together and bring about an attitudinal shift that will provide clarity to some of the myths.
“Persons with disabilities have the right to equal opportunities in all areas of life and have the right to be protected from exploitation and abusive or degrading treatment. They have the right to reasonable accommodation and environmental accessibility in the workplace. They have the right to live in a barrier-free environment and participate in community life,” Dlamini Zuma said. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 03/21/2024 - 11:32
Imposter syndrome was first coined in 1978 by psychologist Dr Pauline Clance, PhD, and refers to a pattern in which an individual doubts their skills and accomplishments and internalises a fear that they will one day be exposed as a “fraud”, since they do not deserve everything that they have achieved. Initially identified in women …
Marches for cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy took place across the country on Wednesday
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 20 March 2024 – Cape Town’s skyline is reaching new heights as The Rubik, a dazzling luxury apartment complex in the heart of the CBD, has reached the peak of its vertical ascent. With 27 levels of premium living and commercial spaces, The Rubik’s modern glass exterior promises residents and businesses …
“Countless human rights violations are rooted in toxic and wounded masculinity, it’s time to man-up and realise human rights for all!’ says a leading NPC, Father A Nation Johannesburg, March 2024 – As South Africa (SA) observes Human Rights Day, a non-profit company (NPC) calls for the need to promote positive masculinity as a solution …
Emphasis placed on investing in climate-resilient infrastructure projects
While South Africa has taken meaningful steps to invest in infrastructure projects, Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, says the fiscus cannot afford to financially support the amount of investment required for climate-resilient infrastructure.
“We therefore need to discuss other innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds and carbon credit to fund these climate-resilient infrastructure projects,” Masondo said on Monday in Johannesburg.
He made these remarks during the second in a series of Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) policy dialogues entitled “Financing infrastructure development in the context of climate change”.
“In South Africa, we feel the negative impact of climate change in important sectors such as agriculture, water, and energy. The frequency of natural disasters and the results thereof are felt every day in our country.
“Investments in renewable energy sources, water conservation systems, and sustainable urban development are key to mitigating and adapting to climate impacts,” the Deputy Minister said.
Masondo said the Infrastructure Fund is a testament to South Africa’s commitment to stimulating infrastructure investment and blending public and private financing to build a better, more sustainable future.
“The Infrastructure Fund stands out as a pivotal move, designed to stimulate investment across various critical sectors. This approach seeks to mobilise public and private resources, mitigate risks for private investors and foster an environment where collaborative financing models can thrive.
“Such measures are part of a broader effort to ensure that infrastructure development not only supports South Africa's immediate economic needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and progress.
“Yes, challenges exist such as securing funding. However, ensuring sustainability, and integrating the latest technologies are other additional challenges. These challenges should be treated as opportunities for innovation and forging robust public-private partnerships. This is also an opportunity for leveraging the power of technology in our infrastructure development goals,” Masondo said.
He said the groundbreaking research produced by the SA-TIED program has shed light on critical areas like water, and energy, and the broader connections between them.
“It is this type of research that directly shapes our infrastructure strategies, informing decisions to maximise impact and create the conditions for sustainable growth. The research informs our policy decision-making. It is this type of research that directly shapes our infrastructure strategies, informing decisions to maximize impact and create the conditions for sustainable growth,” the Deputy Minister said.
He said infrastructure development is the cornerstone of any thriving economy.
“Infrastructure fuels productivity (e.g. people arrive late to work because public transport is poor). Infrastructure also enhances the quality of life for our citizens (clean air, and clean water are important for our health) and lays the foundation for long-term growth.
“Our government recognises this. We have made significant investments in critical infrastructure. These investments are not just about roads and bridges. They are also about creating jobs, reducing poverty, and making South Africa a competitive player in the global economy,” the Deputy Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 03/19/2024 - 09:36
In today’s digital-first landscape, businesses across diverse sectors from B2B enterprises to healthcare, retail, and e-commerce are ardently seeking technological synergies that not only streamline operations but also carve a path for competitive superiority. Does that sound like a business? How intelligently any chain links together dictates its strength. There isn’t the space for weak …
When redefining value, higher education institutions will be increasingly required to step out of their comfort zones Higher education institutions worldwide are currently facing a critical period in their existence. They have to redefine their value proposition to a cohort of students who are not only digital natives but have grown up in an environment …
Ministers commit to support transboundary cooperation in shared water basin
Ministers responsible for Water Affairs from the Republics of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe have recommitted their support to deepening transboundary cooperation in the Limpopo River Basin.
During the biannual meeting by the four Member States held recently in Musina, Limpopo, the Ministers, who are all members of the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM), signed an endorsement agreement to make amendments to the existing transboundary agreement of LIMCOM on the shared water basin.
READ | SA, Zimbabwe to sign agreement for treated water transfer to Musina
The Department of Water and Sanitation has been a member of LIMCOM since the Commission was established between the Republics of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe through the LIMCOM Agreement signed in November 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Article 3.1 of the LIMCOM Agreement (Agreement 2003), stipulates that the objective of the Commission is to “advise the Contracting Parties and provide recommendations on the uses of the Limpopo River, its tributaries and its waters for purposes and measures of protection, preservation and management of the Limpopo River”.
With respect to the Commission’s institutional arrangements to deliver its mandate, the 2003 Agreement, under Article 4, stipulates that the principal organ of the Commission is the Council composed of not more than three delegates per country, with the mandate to establish the Secretariat and any other organ as may be necessary.
However, the Commission recognised that Article 4 of the LIMCOM Agreement signed in 2003 did not include the Council of Ministers as the principal organ of decision making.
As a result, the formalisation of the Council of Ministers as the main policy body will improve the governance structure of LIMCOM and its Secretariat, and also foster closer cooperation for judicious, sustainable and coordinated management, protection and utilisation of shared watercourses. This is in line with the 2000 Revised Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Shared Watercourses.
South Africa’s Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, said it was necessary to include the Ministers so that they execute the mandate regarding the management of the Limpopo River Basin.
Mchunu said the amendment of the agreement will strengthen South Africa’s relations with the three riparian States which share the Limpopo River Basin and use water from the river to support various socio-economic activities.
“We are looking forward to execute the mandates given to us by the people through LIMCOM and we hope that Southern Africa will look at their rivers as assets which are instrumental in developing socio-economic activities including agriculture, tourism, energy generation as well as for domestic use,” Mchunu said.
Located in Southern Africa, the Limpopo River Basin encompassing portions of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The basin faces a number of challenges, especially water scarcity.
In South Africa, there are four Water Management Areas (WMA) found in the Limpopo River Basin, and these include Limpopo WMA, Luvuvhu and Letaba WMA, Olifants WMA and Crocodile (West) and Marico WMA.
However, there is an increasing demand for water to meet the needs of the population and the key economic sectors while faced with limited, if not dwindling, water resources.
The four Ministers also launched the “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin, spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa, in partnership with the Global Water Partnership-Southern Africa (GWPSA).
The project aims to achieve integrated, cross sectoral, ecosystem-based management of the Limpopo River and to uplift the living standards of the basin’s population and conserve the basin’s resources and ecosystems services.
The project implementation is guided by the LIMCOM Agreement and the principles which are contained in the Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses of 2000.
The principles include sustainable utilisation; equitable and reasonable utilisation; protection, preservation, and conservation of the environment; and prevention and mitigation of significant harm.
“These principles shall be interpreted according to the provisions of Article 3 of the SADC Protocol and developed in accordance with the best international practices.
“Furthermore, in the implementation of this project, the Governments of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe commit themselves to uphold the provisions of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development,” Mchunu said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 03/18/2024 - 10:55
Johannesburg , 18 March 2024 : Daybreak Farms’ corporate image had been marred by negative media in the past few years, recently it has started to convey the fixtures and work done to reposition it, strongly signalling to the market its governance renewal journey and the operational overhaul. Daybreak Farms underwent a restructuring process in …
Navigating mental health challenges in African traditional settings South Africa – Last year, Fort Hare University’s Psychiatric Nursing department found that not only was the country’s growing mental health crisis exacerbating the country’s substance and rising suicide levels[1], but it was a major contributor to increasing crime levels.[2] In the recently released National Crime Statistics[3] …
Parliament calls for intensified training on domestic violence among officers
The Portfolio Committee on Police has directed South African Police Service (SAPS) senior managers to increase and enhance training for SAPS members to ensure compliance with the Domestic Violence Act (DVA).
This comes after the committee received a report on compliance with the Act and complaints against SAPS members, as contemplated in Section 18(4)(a) of the Act.
The committee said non-compliance with the Act undermines the fight against gender-based violence, and that increased training will equip police officers with the tools necessary to ensure proper reporting and investigation of domestic violence.
“It is unacceptable that in a country like South Africa, with abnormally high cases of domestic violence, there are still some members of the SAPS that are not compliant with the Act. While there is a general improvement in the number of complaints received, complete compliance is non-negotiable, according to the committee,” the chairperson of the committee, Nocks Seabi, said.
SAPS and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service informed the committee that from 1 April to 30 September 2023, 60 complaints were reported. Fifty of those cases involved failure to complete a SAPS 508(a) form (a domestic violence form used to descriptively register the incident of domestic violence received) and the Domestic Violence Register (SAPS 508(b)).
Seven cases involved the failure to record domestic violence incidents in the occurrence pocketbook, and two cases concern failure to assist a complainant to open a case.
While the committee acknowledged that various actions have been taken, including the issuing of verbal warning and final written warnings, the committee believes continuous training will assist police officers to properly handle cases of domestic violence and comply with legislation.
The committee has also urged departmental investigations to be speedily concluded to ensure that members are held accountable.
The committee was also critical of the high number of police officers accused of perpetrating domestic violence in the period under review.
“It is alarming that 165 members of SAPS are accused of being perpetrators of domestic violence. How can we expect perpetrators to assist and protect the most vulnerable? This is unacceptable and urgent strategies must be developed and implemented to remedy this concern,” Seabi emphasised.
The committee has also called for enhanced psycho-social support for members to help them cope with the violent environment in which they operate.
Another concern for the committee is that 116 police stations are still without victim-friendly rooms. While the committee acknowledges that there are measures to mitigate this gap, it emphasised the need for more focus on capital projects to develop such rooms.
Meanwhile, the committee also received a report on the outcomes of Safer Festive Season operations. It said it is "generally pleased" with the police visibility and operations during the festive season.
While the committee acknowledged that budgetary constraints hinder the continued roll-out of similar operations, it requested a budgetary estimation on the costs involved for Parliament to consider. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Sun, 03/17/2024 - 15:01
“By harnessing the potential of renewable energy, Africa’s young, dynamically growing economies can ensure energy supply is generated in line with international climate goals.” – The Renewable Energy Transition in Africa The climate crisis and increasing demand for energy across the continent are supporting the shift towards renewable energy production. Solar power generation, in particular, …
Regent Business School alumnus Denagran Reddy, has been recognised as the Emerging Educator of the Year in the prestigious Ed Falcon Global Awards at the EdTalk World Conference held on 22 and 23 February 2024 in New Delhi, India. Reddy’s achievement underscores the pivotal role Regent Business School plays in nurturing outstanding educators and shaping …
Integrated Emergency Response (iER) a comprehensive emergency response solution designed to provide unparalleled peace of mind and safety for its users, discusses eight common types of workplace emergencies. “Millions of employees are likely to experience life-threatening incidents while at work. Although some accidents are unavoidable and can be prevented,” says iER manager Monique Delport. Read …
Zikalala to engage George communities
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala will on Saturday engage with forest village communities in George in the Western Cape.
These communities occupy remote government land under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and have limited basic services such as water, road infrastructure, economic activities and aging and unmaintained infrastructure.
Forest villages are compact settlements that were established around forest plantations, when the land was allocated to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for plantation purposes, to allow plantation workers to be closer to the working sites.
The villages were informally established and mostly situated in remote areas, far away from the urban edge. Some of the challenges faced by the communities is that there is no formal township established and properties could not be transferred to occupants.
Minister Zikalala, together with officials from different government departments and entities, will hold discussions with the communities in a bid to find a permanent solution to the plight of these communities. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Fri, 03/15/2024 - 09:36
Concern over learner dropouts and repetition
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the persistently high rates of learner dropouts and repetition urging stakeholders within the education sector to intensify their efforts in tackling these issues.
The President addressed the opening of the 2024 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla Conference taking place at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg on Thursday.
Taking place under the theme "Equipping learners with knowledge and skills for a changing world," the 2024 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla aims to deepen the understanding of advancements made within the sector with a special focus on developments achieved over the last decade.
“With a sense of achievement, we report our progress towards universal access to basic education, which currently stands at an impressive 98 %.
“However, dropout and repetition rates are still unacceptably high. I have spoken about this to you all in the past and I have urged all of us to work hard to reduce the dropout rates as well as to attend to the repetition rates,” the President said in his virtual address.
The President highlighted that poverty, youth criminality, teenage pregnancy, and general violence in some communities as some of the reasons for these high rates.
He added that the burden placed on young people to look after their aged parents and grandparents was also contributing to learner dropout and repetition.
The President told the Lekgotla that government is actively pursuing policies to try to address the obstacles hindering progress in basic education.
“As the Government, we have continued to pursue pro-poor policies to systematically tackle the multifaceted factors impeding progress in basic education. These policies encompass the establishment of non-fee-paying schools; indeed, 80% of schools in our country do not require fees.
“Moreover, more than 9.6 million children benefit from the national school nutrition programme, free textbooks, scholar transport, and child support grants provided by the Department of Social Development.”
President Ramaphosa commended numerous efforts aimed at offering educational assistance in areas with the highest need.
He said these concerted efforts signify government’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape of South Africa, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their background.
“By addressing these challenges head-on, we reaffirm our dedication to fulfilling Mandela’s vision of education as the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.
“We aim to prepare every child in our country for success in a rapidly evolving global context.
“Our commitment is demonstrated through the Three-Stream Curriculum Model, which incorporates technical, vocational and occupational subjects into basic education. This aligns with the nation’s skill requirements and economic objectives, moving beyond traditional academic subjects to expand learners’ prospects,” he said.
The President highlighted that in the coming year, government is poised to expand the occupational stream into the Further Education and Training Phase. He said this expansion is a testament to government’s resolve to ensure that no learner is left behind.
Early Childhood Development
He further emphasised that Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a key priority for government.
Consequently, government has developed the 2030 Strategy for Early Childhood Development Programmes. The strategy outlines a comprehensive plan to achieve universal access to quality ECD programmes by 2030.
“To ensure that we reach universal access to ECD programmes for children aged 3-5, we will need to provide quality access to an additional 830,000 children. This is over and above the 2.2 million children in this age group who are already accessing ECD programmes.
“We can agree that the essence of a quality education system lies in the professionalism and quality of teachers, who are fundamental at the school level. They are crucial for developing the skills, knowledge and competencies our country needs for faster economic growth,” he said.
Investing in teachers
Last week, South Africa hosted the 14th International Teacher Task Force Policy Dialogue Forum which emphasised the need for qualified teachers to achieve sustainable development goals and support the Africa Agenda 2063.
The forum concluded that global investment in teachers is essential to ensuring their competence, professionalism and support.
“We will do everything possible to continue supporting our teachers, who are the combatants for the silent revolution happening in basic education.”
Mother tongue instruction
Turning his attention to the importance of mother tongue instruction, he said it is the cornerstone of the “essential reforms we undertake in basic education and speaks to the broader imperative of decolonising education.”
The President said this goes beyond merely ensuring that children can read with comprehension and that it is a vital component of government’s commitment to educational transformation.
He further expressed his deep support for this development, acknowledging its significance in the journey towards basic education reforms.
He said the country’s history reminds one of the profound impact of language as a tool of subjugation and oppression.
In recognising this, the country’s commitment to decolonisation and transformation becomes even more urgent, ensuring that language is a bridge to knowledge and empowerment rather than a barrier.
The President further highlighted that today, all national African Union Agenda 2063 frameworks and international organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) endorse the implementation of mother tongue instruction as a pivotal strategy for addressing literacy challenges.
“This widespread support recognises the fundamental role of education in one's first language in enhancing learning outcomes and improving literacy rates.
“In conclusion, let us double our efforts to ensure our children stand on equal footing. This means all shall have access to public schools, the assurance of being taught by a qualified teacher, and the provision of ample workbooks, textbooks and stationery.
“It also means having the necessary learning tools, dignified sanitation facilities, clean running water, basic electricity, and a clean, welcoming environment that guarantees safety for both learners and teachers,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 03/14/2024 - 14:29