NCAW hosts successful conference

The National Council of African Women (NCAW) in Limpopo held a successful three-day conference from Friday until Sunday at a hospitality venue on the outskirts of the city. The programme entailed analysing branch reports, deliberating on issues of education and matters affecting the organisation.
The conference was guided by the theme ‘Education is the key in unlocking human potential’. A motion to have an integrity committee within the organisation was passed and seconded and would be debated at the national conference scheduled for North West in December. Several by-laws were also selected one of which was to have an office space in the province. The conference had four commissions namely Early Childhood Development, Skills Development, Drop-outs and Adult Basic Education and Training. On Friday evening, three executive members who have been acting for different positions were endorsed by the conference. Kentse Makgae is officially the provincial Public Relations Officer while Nkeke Lesolang became the Secretary and Leah Chuene was authorised as Treasurer. Makgae indicated that Government was seemingly not doing enough when coming to early learning hence the NCAW wants to complement the work done by the Department of Education.

It was learnt that NCAW in Limpopo has partnered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) to introduce Science and Technology in pre-schools for toddlers to be equipped with the relevant skills at a younger age.
“In partnership with the SACNASP, we are going to introduce science and technology in pre-schools and the programme would be piloted at The Showers Christian and English Medium Learning Centre in Leokama Village in Moletjie in the near future through the endorsement by the Department of Education. The centre does not have adequate resources and basic needs such as clean water, electricity, school halls and proper playgrounds among others. The centre is owned by one of our members, Mmatlala Marapiana. Our wish is to have the same resources that are in urban areas in rural villages as well,” she explained.
Saturday’s gathering themed ‘Toeka se dae’ meaning since the olden days, saw members rocking the venue in vintage clothing for an evening of entertainment. Participants were in a joyous mood and set the stage alight with their extra-ordinary dance moves. A competition was conducted to crown three members who adhered to the theme. Nkekepa Leshilo emerged victorious followed by Kgaogelo Bopape and Johanna Ngoasheng in second and third places respectively. The NCAW also bestowed its print media partner, Polokwane Observer, with a certificate of appreciation.
Makgae emphasised that the conference was a major success and they were looking forward to the national conference in December. She thanked all the members for actively participating in all the activities and urged them to continue serving the organisation with distinction.
Head of Department of Education, Beauty Mutheiwana has praised the council for the strides they have taken in ensuring that young women access quality education and for priding themselves as an organisation whose focus is helping the needy and to serve humanity. Through its programme called ‘adopt a school’ NCAW branches have been donating study materials and school uniforms to underprivileged learners in various schools across the province. Mutheiwana said hosting conferences whose themes are around matters of education is a decisive step in the right direction.

“This shows that you understand the role of education in the economy and that education can provide the much needed answers to the socio-economic challenges that we face. Today more than ever, it is education that can deliver social progress. When we invest in education, we commit ourselves to the development of our citizens,” she explained.
She further stressed that one of their strategic goals as the department was to improve the delivery of quality education and it was their expressed conviction that working together as various sectors in society, from business, charitable organisations to community members, they can support the delivery of quality education to every child that have access in their schools.
“It is high time that everybody gets involved to close gaps that may undermine the delivery of education. Let us think of the social ills that confront our children such as drugs and alcohol abuse, gangsterism, teenage pregnancy and others. Government can only do this much, which is why there is a need to engage more decisively in structured forms of cooperation, which can enrich the innovation potential of the sector and substantially improve the teaching and learning environments in our schools,” Mutheiwana concluded.

Story: Endy Senyatsi
>>endy@observer.co.za
Photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com