“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” – Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The late Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world”.
Such power to shape a society, a nation and an individual’s life is not only grasped by Mandela and Annan but also organisations like the Peermont Trust, which has for many years been diligently training and equipping citizens of this country.
After all, to equip an individual with the necessary skills and knowledge is not only empowering to the person, but it has a knock-on effect on the immediate family structure, and on society in general.
Empower one, therefore, has the ability to empower many, thus causing a ripple effect, thus acting as a catalyst to bring about positive change.
Sound education remains the key to SA’s future and the future of every citizen from Boksburg and in every province. The struggle thus remains to ensure free and accessible education, which is the cornerstone of a successful education system.
The more children have access to quality education, the brighter a country’s future.
This is why it is so heartening to see the efforts made by correctional services to educate inmates, especially the juveniles.
Recently, a new prototype school was opened at the Boksburg Correctional Services. Yes, they may be juveniles now, but equip and educate them so that one day they may impact society in a worthwhile manner.
During September this year, a total of 127 offenders from various correctional centres in Gauteng graduated with various qualifications ranging from certificates to master’s degrees from different institutions. This can only bode well for a country in dire need of a skilled labour force.
We are talking education because it is that time of the year again that matrics are writing their final exams.
October is not just scary because of Halloween, but it is a frightful time of stress, anxiety and worry for matrics. It is time where reality dawns if you paid attention in class, or if the task ahead seems insurmountable.
It is the time of late hours, lack of sleep and worried parents becoming drill sergeants.
However you spin it, matric exams remain very important, for it is the next stepping stone to be educated, to become skilled and to become knowledgeable.
Sure, many might not be able to study further, but every morsel of education one can devour and absorb remains critical.
The final exams will, for many, be a nightmare even worse than the state capture scandal, for others it is a rewarding challenge, but the end prize is the power to be empowered and to empower others.
Such a prize makes the strain and the effort of studying a worthwhile exercise and should never be seen as futile.
Remember matrics, your skills and knowledge are vitally needed, as highlighted by the strange and bizarre interview by Sars’ Digital Information Systems and Technologies chief officer who failed to give coherent answers to questions about their crumbling IT infrastructure.
During the interview, the head of IT said: “Ma’am, can you give me protection from yourself?” This follows a barrage of questions that were failed to be properly answered, pertaining to the apparent cost of R1-billion to fix the infrastructure.
South Africa, therefore, desperately needs people in roles of leadership that are skilled, knowledgeable and competent.
This has been sorely lacking and the reason for the collapse of so many parastatals.
Education protects us and enables us to achieve, to become better and to become a person of note.
So to all matrics, give it your very best. Be determined, be bold, and be courageous on this vital journey of education.
To all the matrics in Boksburg, we at the Advertiser wish you the best of luck and may you excel beyond your wildest imagination.
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