Welcoming remarks by the Eastern Cape Department of Education’s Superintendent General, Nomlamli Mahanjana on the occasion of the Techno Girl Business Breakfast, East London, 4 October 2007
Honourable Member of the Executive Council
Honourable Member of the Provincial Legislature
Esteemed Members of the Business Community
Senior Officials of various government departments
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning!
It gives me great pleasure to stand here today and welcome you to this very important endeavour in the name of our precious learners. This occasion is even more significant, in that our area of emphasis for the day are our girl children, who, as you know, constitute the most vulnerable segment of our sometimes poignant society.
It is particularly significant that, as custodians of our country’s education system, we recognise the need to initiate targeted programmes that seek to respond pointedly to areas that are of concern in our society. The Department has, over the past few years, placed a lot of emphasis on encouraging learners to do well in Mathematics and Science as our country has identified a dire need for technical skills in order to keep up with our developing economy. This initiative today is meant to reflect a particular developmental bias that recognises the peculiar circumstances of our past.
We all know that there are sections of our communities that are still beholden to outdated patriarchal notions that still regard women and girls as second class citizens who are not expected to progress beyond menial domestic tasks. We all know of heroic stories of women who have risen beyond the drudgery of their painful circumstances to become leaders in government and business.
That is why we are so appreciative of the enthusiasm shown by the business community represented here today. This techno-girl child initiative is important for us because, for the majority of our learners, opportunities for direct work emersion offer invaluable experiential insights that cannot be replicated in our schools.
Let me stop there and not step into the toes of the other speakers who I know will delve deeper into this important topic. Save for me to, again, heartily welcome all of you representatives from:
Thank you