Being spoken to in your mother tongue always evokes a sense of pride and reaffirms that your heritage and origin matter. Mother tongue starts at birth and continues throughout life, and it is therefore important for children to be educated and instructed in their mother tongue. Being taught in a language other than mother tongue, compromises a person’s ability to learn effectively.
Our response to COVID-19 was swift and decisive. Our prompt action prevented the spread of the virus and saved thousands of lives. Lessons learned from fighting the deadly disease have prepared us to deal more decisively and even better with future global health threats.
One of the key government’s strategic outcomes is secure and efficient management of international migration resulting in South Africa’s interests being served and fulfilling international commitments. To this end, government continues refine its policy and regulation that will result in the efficient determination and safeguarding of the identity and status of South African citizens and the regulation of migration to ensure security as well as to promote and fulfil this country’s international obligations.
The right to adequate housing in South Africa is enshrined in our Constitution. The Constitution obliges the state to take reasonable steps to ensure that this basic human right becomes a lived reality.
This right has also been enforced through our courts in the Grootboom case where it specified that priority should be given to those who live in extreme conditions of poverty, homelessness or intolerable housing.
South Africa has the second longest coastline on the African continent and spans two oceans. This prime geo position is at the heart of international shipping with more than 30 000 ships sailing around the country every year. The route links Asia to the East Coast of South America and the East and West coasts of Africa.
Our history has shown us that a united and committed youth can change the trajectory of a country. The youth of 1976 pulled together under excruciating circumstances to fight for freedom and many times paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that today we have good fortune of living in a democratic state.
Our founding fathers of the African Union understood that for Africa to rise to its full potential Africans must forge a united front. They saw Africa’s future intrinsically linked to the success of each nation on the continent.
In June last year, our country woke up to the tragic news of the death of twenty people suspected of being illegal miners at an unused mine in Orkney, North West. Their premature death was because of an underground fire. This was not the first time that suspected illegal miners commonly known as ’zama zamas’ died in an abandoned mine.
The auto-manufacturing sector has emerged as one of the sectors that stands to benefit from the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that holds the potential to revitalise the continent.
It is estimated that by 2035 Africa shall require five billion units of vehicles and our continent has the potential to manufacture both the finished products and automotive components.
By Gill Price
In 1994, we had a dream of forging a new nation. We imagined a country that worked for everyone and offered all people a chance to live their dream. Having emerged from decades of white minority rule, which was characterised by abuse and tyranny, we chose reconciliation instead of war.
