24 Sep 2020

Kanye South MP and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape has hailed Majwe Mining Joint Venture(MMJV) for complementing government efforts by investing in the human capital.

Speaking during the donation of eight used but fit for purpose computers at Tsonyane Primary School on Monday, Dr Kwape said the gesture spoke to the Vision 2036 ideal of a knowledge based economy.

He explained that the vision was desirous of a skilled and talented human resource that could compete globally and be exported.

He said education was a great equaliser that could propel a child, born into the bleakest poverty, to sit around a table with other educated counterparts from well-to-do families, as equals.

Dr Kwape also explained that the donation was in line with sustainable development goal of human capital development. 

To this end, he encouraged learners to work hard at their studies and derive maximum benefit from the kind donation.

“I implore you to work hard, steer away from drugs, alcohol and delinquent activities. I want future scientists, engineers to emerge from this village,” he said.

The minister also seized the opportunity to raise awareness on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and denounced it in all its shapes and forms. 

He noted that the abuse could be physical, verbal or emotional and urged residents to talk to their children about it and report  GBV incidents to the relevant authorities.

 He said turning a blind eye to GBV was as good as aiding and abetting the perpetrators.

On other issues, Dr Kwape informed residents that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he would only be able to hold brief meetings with Dikgosi and Village Development Committees, as opposed to kgotla meetings.

Meanwhile, he said it pained him that Tsonyane was the only village in the constituency without electricity, promising however that the village would be electrified when funds permit. Dr Kwape donated soccer and net balls to the school and Lefoko village.

For his part, MMJV corporate and communications manager, Mr Archibald Ngakayagae said the token expressed a long standing wish to connect schools around the mine to the outside world through technology.

 He said, the equipment, that came with a yearlong internet subscription, which would place information at the fingertips of teachers and learners. 

He wished the gesture could inspire learners and notch the school up.

Mr Ngakayagae said his company was fully behind the government agenda of transforming the nation from a resource to a knowledge-based economy. 

He shared that since inception in 2011 his company had partnered with various schools around the mine with a view to striving for academic excellence. 

He said their conviction was that it was critical to catch learners young and introduce them to technology.

Chief education officer, Mr Abram Mollowamodimo said they were expecting a 90 per cent pass rate from the completing class. 

He said they were indebted to MMJV for the support, adding that internet connectivity would enable schools to research even without books. Ends