The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, visited the Apex Academy in Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, on 27 October 2026, where she engaged with the School Management Team, teachers and learners.

The visit commenced with a briefing by the school principal, who provided an overview of the school. This was followed by a guided tour of the school’s facilities, allowing the Minister to gain insight into the learning environment and the resources available to learners. During the visit, the Minister also sat in on a Grade 9 lesson, observing teaching and learning in action.

The Minister further visited the school library, highlighting the importance of reading and access to Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) to assist learners with their academic development. The visit concluded in the school hall, where she joined learners and educators and was warmly welcomed by the school community.

Minister Gwarube delivered an address reflecting on her upbringing in a village in the Eastern Cape Province, where she was raised by her grandmother, a teacher who strongly believed in education, the Minister spoke about how access to quality education helped shape her future.

Drawing from her own experiences, she emphasised that every learner deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of their background or where they come from. Minister Gwarube encouraged learners to make the most of the opportunities available to them, remain curious and absorb as much knowledge as possible.

She also highlighted the importance of discipline, respect and strong values in building a solid foundation for the future, reminding learners that their circumstances should never define their potential, but rather how they use the opportunities presented to them. A learner representative from the Apex Academy delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the school, expressing appreciation for the Minister’s visit. The learner highlighted the school’s role in nurturing personal growth, responsibility and integrity, while emphasising that every child deserves equal opportunities to access quality education and build a better future.

Minister Gwarube also visited Bumble Bee Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, where she received a briefing on the centre’s operations and needs, inspected the kitchen and bathroom facilities, visited the play area and read to the children, whilst engaging with the centre and its partners on efforts to uplift the facility and strengthen early learning opportunities for young children.