Handover of books by the speaker

11 May 2012

"A country`s national anthem is one of its most significant national symbols and no effort should be spared in showing respect for it. In some countries, disrespecting a national symbol is a serious offence that attracts heavy penalties."This is a warning given to learners by the Honourable Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, Mr S W Lubisi,in the presence of teachers, officials from the Legislature and media representatives during a recent visit to Mthombo Secondary School at Newskom near Zwelisha in the Mbombela Municipality.

The warning formed the introductory part of the Speaker`s keynote address which followed immediately after mass rendition of the national anthem by the learners to mark the official opening of the ceremony during which he handed over donor books to the school. "Equally important national symbols include the national flag and the coat of arms.

There will be many others; and vandalising any of these is a show of gross disrespect for one`s country and is tantamount to high treason or even a coup d` etat. In such countries you would never find someone chatting, whispering to another or even giggling while the national anthem is being sung; not to mention burning the national flag by way of expressing anger or dissatisfaction," declaimed the Speaker.

Mthombo Secondary School is one of two underprivileged schools which were identified as deserving beneficiaries of a book donation initiative undertaken by various benevolent donors with the aim of empowering disadvantaged schools by beefing up their libraries, thus inculcating and promoting the culture of reading.

In his address, Mr Lubisi further stressed the importance of education as the biggest wealth parents can ever bequeath to their children, adding that children must, in turn, be fully committed to their studies in order to take responsibility for their own destiny and secure a bright future for themselves."As long as you are armed with an education you are guaranteed a better future because nobody can take away your education from you. Even if your certificate happens to get lost, you can always apply for a replacement and continue with your life, unlike material inheritance from your parents such as a car, money, cattle or a house, which once lost becomes extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to replace", declared Mr Lubisi.
The ceremony which was also graced by the attendance of the Circuit Manager, Mr Samuel Ezra Ngobeni and the School Governing Body Chairperson, Mr Patrick Nyalunga, was opened with a welcoming and introductory address by the headmaster, Mr Sam Nkosi.

However, the limelight-pincher of the day was the student representative, a young vivacious lady by the name of Sweetness Matsebula. Tears visibly welled up in the eyes of some members of the audience when she delivered a moving speech on behalf of the students. Expressing herself in impressive fluency and eloquence in polished English that would leave many a graduate blue with envy, she thanked the Speaker for being such a caring and considerate person who kept the interests of needy schools at the centre of his heart.

"May the immeasurable God Almighty bless you, Babe Ngceshe, ngalomusa wakho longaka lowentele tsine bafundzi baseMthombo. Nawe Mthombo awumncinyane!" She said as she switched to SiSwati, briefly reciting the totem praises of the Lubisi clan. Without an iota of doubt, Sweetness will definitely be matriculating this year.

The other recipient of the donation was Sabane Secondary School a stone`s throw from Mthombo in the same neighbourhood of Newskom, where the learners` hysterical joy and excitement defied all hypocrisy. They were however not spared the same dressing down given to their neighbours, also for not taking the national anthem seriously. The embarrassment of the reprimand was soon to be replaced by thunderous applause that accompanied the handing over of the books. "The books are all in English, the mastery of which will improve your understanding of your content learning areas and improve your results because they are presented through the medium of English," concluded the Speaker.

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Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
Enquiries: Ms Zamagambu Memela - Gamede
Senior Manager: Communications
Tel: 013 766 1445 or 083 708 7881
Fax: 013 766 1465

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