Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, addressed Department of Basic Education (DBE) officials in Pretoria ahead of the festive season. The engagement, which was hosted at the DBE Building in Pretoria on 10 December 2024, provided an opportunity for the Minister to express her gratitude to staff members for their commitment and contribution towards quality education within the Basic Education Sector and to encourage renewed focus on the priority education areas in the new academic year.
“I am grateful for the warm welcome, support, hard work and professionalism that I have witnessed in the five and a half months since I have been in office. For me one of the biggest untold stories of 2024 in South Africa is not only the change in our democracy and Government through the Government of National Unity (GNU), but the reassurance that we have a professional public service. Many colleagues work day and night under difficult conditions, remaining dedicated to their work and their responsibilities. I am proud of you; thank you for the consummate professionals you have been.
Education is a large and complex sector and I would like to express my gratitude for the support that you have shown me. I was clear that I wanted to learn more about the Sector when I commenced my duties, sharing your views and garnering your expertise.
Lastly and most importantly, I wish to thank you for the work that you do for the 13,5 million South African learners. If we do not get education in South Africa right, we may risk never undoing the inequalities and injustices of the past. The moral imperative and the driving force behind our actions should be: I want to change the lot of these children as an agent of change; ensuring that they attend school under conducive and safe conditions and leave one day able to fulfil their place in society and make meaningful differences in their lives and the lives of others. That is how we change the face of South Africa for the better and you play a critical role as levers of change. Let’s look forward to starting 2025 focused and with renewed energy, ensuring that we do the very best to ensure that no child is left behind. Every child in our education system should have access to quality education,” Minister Gwarube concluded her engagement.