I see us meeting here today to celebrate teaching and learning. The centrality of educators in the development of children cannot be underestimated. I see the majority of South African educators as committed, caring, diligent and disciplined professionals. As professionals, I believe that they welcome and critically engage with opportunities, structures, processes and procedures that contribute to their ongoing growth and development as individuals and as a collective.
Educators are key contributors to the transformation of education in South Africa.
The need to develop and utilise their creative talents, innovative practices and positive impact on young lives is vital to the thrust of making the next century an African century. I see teachers playing a crucial role in helping to shape the road ahead and enabling us to become the authors of our future. I see how we are learning to live and work and play in our new democracy. I experience a deep sense of hope as I witness how education helps dispossessed people to take possession of their lives and their future. I notice that, as learners of all ages gain knowledge and understanding, develop skills, values and attitudes they are empowered to begin to define who they are, where they are going and the milestones along the way.