Director of Ceremonies
Principal of St Mark's College
Parents, Educators, Learners
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today we are honouring the founders of St Mark's College, who under very difficult circumstances established this institution, and developed it to the level where it is now. We are also here to formally launch a very important initiative by St Mark's, which has been running successfully for the last ten years, the mathematics and science educators' excellence project for the Sekhukhune region. This noble project was inspired by the St Mark's teachers' successes regarding their own learners' achievements in maths and science, including those from neighbouring schools, that benefited from the extra-curricular maths and science classes that the college spearheaded.
This event takes place a week after the Department of Science and Technology hosted an impressive International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (INSITE) at Gallagher Estate, Midrand. The INSITE was my department's major event to mark the ten years of our democracy by showcasing, among important international players, some of our best science and technology products and projects.
In addition, we held the Inaugural Phillip Tobias Lecture, which was addressed by the esteemed Nobel Prize winner, Professor Sydney Brenner. The Tobias lectures are intended to serve as a vehicle to promote scholarship in science and technology, especially among students, to build the culture of research and development, and foster excellence in our higher education and research institutions.
Our country has enormous potential to produce world-class scientists. Professor Brenner, who has since migrated to Australia, was born and educated in South Africa. Mark Shuttleworth is another South African youth who has made it internationally, particularly in the information technology sector.
In spite of meagre resources and difficult beginnings, the founders of St Mark's College were able to produce a large number of students that have managed to achieve distinction in various fields and careers. Among an impressive list of outstanding achievers from the school, are Ranti Mothapo from Lebowakgomo, who has distinguished himself by becoming the youngest African actuary at the tender age of 22 years, Mamogae Mahlare from Jane Furse, who graduated as the first black woman Chemical Engineer at Wits in 1997, Makgome Mogoba from Lebowakgomo, who broke the University of Natal record by becoming the first African student to get a B Com Degree Summa Cum Laude, and Noko Phala from Apel, who is doing his doctorate in Chemical Engineering at UCT.
South Africans re not only capable of competing favourably with the best in the world, but in some areas of science, we are world leaders. The work currently being completed on the South African Large Telescope (SALT) will result in the best optical telescope of its kind in the world. Tests recently conducted at Sutherland suggest that the resolution achieved with the telescope, which is only 60% completed, exceeds that of a similar telescope in Texas, USA.
We have the potential and the drive to lead the world in many areas of science and technology. As the majority, we can still overcome the centuries of neglect and exclusion in science and technology, to make our mark in the annals of time. In his lecture, Professor Brenner also alluded to this challenge, by emphasising the need to increase our investments in the future by equipping our youth, especially Africans and girls, with scientific, technological and mathematical knowledge and skills that are relevant to the globalising world, and information society, if we are to overcome our unfortunate legacy. He asserts that, "Young people are the 'outsiders' who can and will transform the new world. We must encourage them and offer them all means of transiting and contributing to the society of the future".
The initiative by St Mark's to establish a project to empower mathematics and science teachers in Ga-Sekhukhune, is the most sustainable and reliable way of giving most of our learners, irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances, the opportunity not only to realise their potential, but also to become the best they could be. We salute the educators and managers of St Marks for their selflessness sacrifices, and desire to ensure the success of our children and our hard won democracy.
Our youth form the nucleus of our plan to transform our country, and our national science, engineering and technology human capital. My Ministry is determined to assist our young people to find a space to play and succeed in the area of science, engineering and technology. We are committed to increasing their effective and sustainable participation and performance in the sector. We hope to achieve this by:
Firstly, enhancing learner participation and performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (abbreviated as STEM). To be able to achieve this goal we need to focus on the roots and foundations laid in the classroom for the learner. Without a strong and firm base in science and mathematics, we will not produce competent and confident scientists, technologists and mathematicians. A lot of potential scientists are lost during the early phases of schooling. The science and mathematics curriculum in schools needs to foster a spirit of enquiry and excitement, and make these subjects more attractive, interesting and relevant. The only people with resources and space to facilitate achievement of this goal are you, the educators.
Secondly, providing quality career education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Most learners are just taking science subjects without really knowing what opportunities exist in science, technology and engineering. We need to inform them about different career opportunities, and advise them about procedures to follow when applying for admission and bursaries at tertiary institutions. Our learners must start their FET phase with an end in mind. They must timeously be informed about the requirements for the different courses and careers.
Lastly, promoting science literacy among the youth and the broader public. The vision and mission of the Department of Science and Technology is, …to "create a prosperous society that derives enduring and equitable benefits from science and technology", and "to develop, coordinate and manage a national system of innovation that will bring about maximum human resource capital, sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life for all".
It is important to recognise the role that parties such as parents and communities could play in promoting science and technology. These members should form part of the events such as the National Science Week, expos for young scientists and Olympiads.
My department has consulted widely and extensively on the need for, and type of a network of science centres the country needed, in order to bring science to the communities. I am happy to announce that the norms and standards for the network of science centres have received wide support here at home, and internationally by the Southern African Association of Science and Technology, the Non-Aligned Movement, and developing countries at an international workshop that was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. I request you to support these efforts as they are aimed at benefiting our society, especially those in remote areas such Ga-Sekhukhune. We hope that the network of Science Centres will bring the desperately needed infrastructure and resources to pioneering projects such as this one.
Most of us have gone through a system of education that currently makes us spectators in our own country. It is against this background that I commend the St Marks College and those who have worked with this institution, for taking it upon themselves to initiate a project aimed at making a difference in your own communities.
The achievements of St Marks College derive from the dedication and sacrifices made by the founding members of this institution. We salute and commend these fighters who risked their all to ensure that this College not only survives the oppressive apartheid regime, but also develops and prospers to what it is today. Without the vision and foresight of luminaries such as Dr Peter Anderson, the first principal, and members of his staff, Mr Don Mac Robert, Mr Mike Rippon, Mr KT Marishane, Mr GJ Tabane, Mr Percy Levick, Rev John Tsebe, Rev. Johannes Manaswe, Mrs Rebecca Mphahlele, Mrs Teresa Morifi, Mrs Sue Leurner, Mrs Rebecca Matlala and Mr Mapudi Phasha, St Marks as we know it today would not be there.
Ke a leboga
