Today, families, schools, and communities come together to celebrate the achievements
of the matriculants of 2024. Media outlets highlight top achievers, and government officials commend learners and educators for their dedication. And rightly so. This day is marked by joy, gratitude, and hope for the future as learners embark on new journeys in higher education or the workforce. However, this moment in the academic cycle also stirs mixed emotions within me, prompting reflection on what many of us might feel or think today.
As we stand on the threshold of the 2025 academic year, I feel compelled to speak
to you as a fellow citizen who shares your hopes and dreams for our children’s future. Thirty-one years ago, I stood in the queue, waiting to vote in our first democratic elections. I felt profound excitement, immense pride in our nation’s accomplishments, and a deep love for this country. I committed myself to the promise of justice, equality, and dignity for all—especially for the next generation. As an 18-year-old boy, I vowed that, as a teacher, I would instil these values in every learner in my classroom.
We once dared to dream together. We embarked on a journey to build a society rooted in Ubuntu—humanity, compassion, and interconnectedness. The world marvelled at our transition from oppression to hope, division to unity. But today, I fear that dream is slipping away. Not because we are incapable, but because complacency, corruption, and division threaten to cloud our vision.
Our schools—those sacred spaces where dreams should be nurtured—often mirror our
society’s struggles—the cries of the marginalised echo in every classroom. The child in a rural school without textbooks, the learner in an overcrowded township school, and the teenager walking dangerous streets to access education await the justice and opportunity they were promised.
Yet, hope is not lost. I see it in the resilience of our teachers, who educate under unimaginable conditions, and in the determination of our children, who dare to dream despite the odds. I see it in parents who sacrifice to give their children a better future, attend meetings, support fundraisers, and guide them with unwavering love.
To you, the parents of South Africa, I say this:
Your role in our nation’s future is indispensable. You are your child’s first teacher, strongest advocate, and consistent guide. In your homes, you cultivate the values that will shape tomorrow’s leaders. Encourage your child to dream boldly and work diligently. Teach them honesty, respect, and compassion. Stand by them as they navigate an often unfair world filled with possibilities.
To our leaders, I make this plea:
When you fail our schools, you fail our children. When corruption steals resources,
It steals futures. Leadership is not a privilege but a sacred duty. Our children deserve better schools, better opportunities, and better examples of integrity and service.
To the faith communities, I ask this:
Please return to your role as the moral compass of our society. Stand with the struggling
families. Support the children in your congregations and communities. Offer guidance, hope, and action to ensure no child is left behind.
To the youth in our schools, I say:
You are not just the future; you are the present. You are more powerful and braver than you realise. Dream big, study hard, and believe in the power of your voice to bring change. Your circumstances do not define you; your determination and vision do.
Lastly, to every South African family, let us reclaim the spirit of Ubuntu. Our children learn from what they see. Let them see us as a nation united, a nation that cares, a nation that fights for justice and equality for all.
2025 must be a turning point—not just for our schools but for our country. Together,
we can renew the dream we dared to dream. We can build a South Africa our children will inherit with pride—a nation of justice, dignity, equality, and opportunity.