“Our people need to acquire skills and educate themselves. This is the only way we can compete globally, play our rightful role on the continent and uplift our people.”

These are the words of the First Lady of South Africa, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, who recently attended one of the graduation ceremonies on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Vanderbijlpark. Dr Motsepe is married to the president of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, and is involved in many initiatives supporting education, including the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust.

 

Here are Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, First Lady, Prof Marlene Verhoef, registrar, and Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operations.

 

One of the beneficiaries of the Trust, Zanele Khumalo, obtained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) on that particular day. Dr Motsepe was in the audience to support her as the initiative’s newest graduate.

The First Lady said that quality education is the only way for anyone to become a contributing member of society, and that graduates have an important role to play by creating jobs to grow the South African economy and put an end to poverty.

“Being strategically situated and as the economic hub of the continent, South Africa has a huge role to play in the future of Africa,” Dr Motsepe said. She added that the fourth industrial revolution poses challenges of its own and that South Africa cannot afford to be left behind.

After all the formalities, Dr Motsepe mingled with dignitaries and guests and expressed again how proud she is of Zanele’s achievement