WHITE RIVER – Premier David Mabuza congratulated the MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule and her department for being the most improved province in grade 12 results after obtaining a 77,6 per cent pass rate.
Even though the department did not reach its target of improving last year’s results by 10 per cent, Mabuza said that he was over the moon for such an improvement.
“It was not easy, but together with the team in the department you made me proud and I believe that with the three months left in the office, we will complete the race triumphantly,” he said.
He acknowledged that at times he was extremely hard on Mhaule and he was not doing it to make her feel bad, but for her to enjoy the fruits of her labour.
“I know at times she doubted if I was human, but I am here to assure you that I am a human being who is very hard to please and I am a pleased man today,” he said.
Mabuza, a qualified teacher himself, also expressed sincere gratitude to all the learners and teachers for their hard work adding that he knows how difficult it is to educate children.
“We can not sideline educators because if it was not for them, we would not be here today, celebrating like we are doing now,” Mabuza added.
The premier explained that the satisfying pass rate was not just easily achieved, but was a result of very hard work.
“In 2009 when I became the premier, Mpumalanga was coming out of an era where people had lost courage, especially in the education sector and I deliberately kept MEC Mhaule and together we fought to make sure that we run a victorious race,” said Mabuza.
He urged the learners who have passed to continue to make the province proud by studying further and come back and improve the province of the pioneering spirit.
