EDUCATION THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER – THABETHE TELLS LIMPOPO GIRL LEARNERS

EDUCATION THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER – THABETHE TELLS LIMPOPO GIRL LEARNERS

 

BY BRIAN KAJENGO

 

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe  urged Limpopo learners she hosted for lunch to arm themselves with education in order to free themselves from the clutches of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

 

Thabethe was speaking during a luncheon that she hosted for thirty girl learners from three Limpopo high schools, John Mbhedhle (from Xihosana Village), Photani (Malamulele) and Rhabela (Nhombelani Village) in Polokwane yesterday

 

The luncheon was part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti) Techno-girls Programme. The main aim of the programme is to introduce young girls to study opportunities and the multitudes of career opportunities that exist in various sectors of the economy they can pursue. It is also aimed at empowering girl learners through technology and entrepreneurship.

 

“This country has changed so much since the dawn of democracy that opportunities available for our young people, particularly girls, are unlimited. But for you to be able to grab these opportunities and contribute actively and meaningfully in the transformation and development of this country you need to arm yourself with education.

 

The sky is the limit once you have equipped yourself with the necessary knowledge, information and skills. The contribution that you can make in your family and community after arming yourself with education is immeasurable. Education will allow you to break the vicious circle of poverty and become an agent of change,” said Thabethe.

 

Thabethe further impressed upon the learners the importance of focussing on nurturing their academic and entrepreneurial skills saying South Africa’s women are making their mark in the business world but more are still required. She expressed her satisfaction at the impact of the Techno-girls Programme after the teachers and learners from the three schools testified how the programme has changed the learners for the better.

 

“One of our objectives as a department is to make sure that more women participate meaningfully in the country’s economy and not scramble on the periphery. We believe that empowering the girl learners will go a long way in achieving these objectives. It will also ensure that girls are inspired and influenced positively to make correct career decisions and go on to be successful businesswomen and responsible citizens who contribute positively to the country’s social and economic growth,” said Thabethe.

 

“After participating in the Techno-girls workshop in Tzaneen last year, we returned to school empowered and brimming with enthusiasm and confidence. We became steadfastly focussed on our schoolwork and stopped perceiving ourselves as underprivileged girls from disadvantaged and underdeveloped rural backgrounds. We learnt that we have the capacity to transcend all barriers and make it big in life,” said Esther Phalafala from Photani Secondary School.

 

Her principal, Mr Eric Mathebula said the girls’ confidence and enthusiasm rubbed off on other learners in his school.

 

“I appeal to the dti to extend the programme to more children, particularly those in village schools,” appealed Mathebula.

 

The girl learners impressed Deputy Minister Thabethe with their determination, enthusiasm, communication and presentation skills, as well as their entrepreneurship potential during the Techno-girls Entrepreneurship Workshop hosted by the dti in Tzaneen last year.  They all finished in the top four out of ten schools which participated in a competition testing their entrepreneurial skills.