It gives me great pleasure to participate in this auspicious occasion – the SADTU-SIHOLD Joint Sod-Turning Ceremony. This represents the culmination of 5 years of very careful planning and martialling of resources. Today marks the symbolic start of the building phase, when we begin to see the realisation of an ambitious vision for the construction of the SADTU Village – a purpose-built national office, training institute, conference centre and 250-bed residential complex.

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Poobi Naicker. It is an honour for me to stand here to say a few words about my long-time friend and comrade. Thank you for inviting me.

Before I start, let me acknowledge the following: Edwin Pillay(once a Deputy President of SADTU ), Cde Harold Samuels (The longtime friend of Cde Poobie and the first Treasurer of SADTU at its formation in 1990) Cde Randall Van Den Heever (the first General Secretary of SADTU )

The 1st Deputy President of SADTU who is current the acting President The National Office Bearers of SADTU The entire leadership of SADTU from various levels of the organisation The leadership of the federation present here today The Alliance leadership present Comrades delegates,

Let me begin with revolutionary greetings from the 13th Congress Central Committee of the South African Communist Party.

Comrades delegates, you have who refused to bow to pressure when others were arguing that SADTU should just be a professional association and you said we want SADTU to be a trade union because you defined yourselves as workers and today you have build this union into colossal fortress to which teachers run when they are under attack .

We are truly humbled by your presence in this celebration hosted by the ELRC in our beautiful province of KZN under the UNESCO slogan " A call for teachers". We feel honored and privileged indeed to stand before you today as the teachers of our country. It is a great honour for us a a union to be amongst you, the nation builders of our society. We are truly inspired by your courage, motivation, dedication, passion,

Thank you for inviting me to the launch of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union’s Curtis Nkondo Professional Development Institute.

Revolutionary greetings to the leadership and members of SADTU. This is a critical NGC, this being a very hectic, yet interesting and challenging year for all of us.

Firstly, let me acknowledge my overlapping mandates. On the one hand I have been invited to speak in my capacity as the General Secretary of the SACP and on the other, and I assume, Comrades expect me to shed light on progress we are making in relation to implementation of the Polokwane resolutions, particularly on post-schooling and continuing education sector.

As COSATU we are pleased to have been invited to address the National General Council under the theme “Organise and Empower Education Workers to Deliver Free Quality Public Education and Build Socialism”.

Today is the 56th anniversary of the women’s march that took place on 9 August 1956. On this day over 20,000 women of all races and all ages marched to the Union Building in Pretoria against passes.

Let’s remember some of the leaders – Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie Williams and Amina Cachalia. Some of the organisers of the march, such as Ray Alexander, could not be present because they were banned. The march was organized by the South African Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW).

I am certainly honoured and delighted to be part of this occasion to celebrate the Women’s Month. The theme for this year’s Women’s Moth is “56 years of women united against poverty, inequality and unemployment”. This is in recognition of the 56th anniversary of that heroic day when the women of this country marched to the Union Buildings and dared the then Prime Minister JG Strydom and his government to stand in their way saying “wa thinth’abafazi, wa thinth’ imbokodo”.

We are pleased to have been invited to give an input in this important occasion

We are able to do this with pride because there are women who walked a dangerous path and travelled where others dared to do so. They created new paths and set new horizons.

We are, indeed, humbled to be part of this August occasion of your Provincial Music Competitions.
We must say, chairperson, that this event takes place during an important time in the political calendar of this country.

It is the year of the Centenary celebrations of the African National Congress and this forms part thereof

It is the Mandela Month after we celebrated Cde Nelson Mandela`s 94th birthday a few days ago. As the celebrations continue throughout the month, Sadtu Northern Cape saw it fit to hold their music competitions, as part of singing for our icon. The Sadtu National event will also take place tomorrow, where our leaders and staff will be painting a school in Tembisa, Gauteng and giving out food parcels to the needy. Sadtu will also engage learners, parents, teachers and the community on Quality Teaching and Learning while providing wellness services to all.

Address of the Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe,On the Occasion of the ANC Education Summit: "Consolidating towards the achievement of quality education"

At the Velmore Conference Centre, Erasmia, Tshwane

April 12th 2012