Minister handing over uniform to penurious pupils of Sicelokuhle high school.

By Ramushu ‘Msiro’ Serious

            Generosity: Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa to hand   school uniform to learners at Sicelokuhle high school in Ladysmith.

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N action is the government of South Africa. On Saturday the minister of Environmental Affairs Ms Edna Molewa visited the Peacetown in Ladysmith to hand over school uniforms to the learners. Although it was in a very cold day, the people did attend. She (the minister) contributed about 100 school uniform (which included a t-shirt, a trouser, a skirt, a tie, a pull-over, socks and school shoes) to the learners of Sicelokuhle high school resulting in 50 for both boys and girls, and in addition to that 1000 school bags, 150 scientific calculators and a projector and screen were also given to the school. Addressing the community which was more dominated by youth, the minister reiterated that “it is a good thing that we lay foundation that is firm and strong for our country by educating our youth”. The minister who adopted one of Madiba’s quote that “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart”. This was witnessed from the beginning of her speech as she spoke in isiZulu for almost all of her speech and everyone seemed to understand. I want to see Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers and Environmentalists from Sicelokuhle high school. Cheerful and thrilled learners promised the minister that come final examination, a 100% pass rate was on the way.

She made an emphasis that the department of Environmental Affairs in collaboration with Dept. of Education will work hard together to ensure that no child is deprived his/her right to education as a result of not having uniform. Minister also made it clear that they will work hand in hand with other departments, like the department of Health so they can too hand in something such as sanitary pads for our young sisters in schools. As we commemorating Environment month “it is your responsibility as a community to take good care of your environment because without environment there is no life”…she said. She said that giving reference that almost everything we have, utilise and eat comes from the very same environment. Without it, we won’t be able to build schools and houses, so take care of it. By taking care of everything, the minister insisted also that the community assist in protecting and conserving the natural resources. “The government alone cannot do enough to fight against the poachers, the illegal mining and deforestation, it is only if we join hands and that together we will conquer these fights”…she assured. As she was to conclude her speech, she reminded everyone that it was not herself per se who was giving all of that but the government which is led by the ANC. Lastly she requested that if they want to see more of the goodies like that (referring to what she was handing over) they must not forget to do the right thing on the 3^rd of August. Don’t give away your government to the greediest because they will leave your government with nothing, you won’t be getting any of school uniforms anymore, so just go and do the right thing and help move the government led by ANC move forward…she insisted.