[South Africa] Education is the great equaliser

Former deputy president, Kgalema Mothlante, delivered the keynote address today during a graduation ceremony at Wits University where 14 parliamentarians, including Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform, Mcebisi Skwatsha, and members of provincial where among 56 students who graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Management: Governance and Public Leadership.

Mothlante congratulated the public servants on continuing their learning path in order to “stay effective”.

They were among some 260 graduates from the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management to graduate during the University’s Winter Graduation Cluster in the Great Hall.

Among the guests who attended the graduation ceremony on behalf of Parliament where Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, as well as National Council of Provinces Chair, Thandi Modise, and Speakers from various Provincial Legislatures.

Mothlante encouraged graduands to “put to good use the knowledge and values you have gained to impact your rare learning to develop others who will come after you.”

“Education remains the greatest equaliser of the inequality facing the nation… We live in a knowledge-based world where premium is largely based on skills and training that facilitates growth and development. Human capacity enhancement is at the centre of this knowledge-based economy. Knowledge lies at the centre of it all and it is necessary to continue learning in order to be effective,” he said.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Management: Governance and Public Leadership is a one-year programme offered by the Wits School of Governance (WSG) and primarily aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of the legislative sector, enabling professionals to advance their careers and contribute to good governance and effective development in their organisations and communities.

WSG is committed to improving governance and development in South Africa, southern Africa, and the rest of the African continent.

www.wits.ac.za