MEC MATSEMELA APPLAUDS THE SANTACO BOJANALA REGION
The North West Education MEC, Mmaphefo Matsemela applauded the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) of Bojanala Region for not disrupting learning and teaching process during their march in Rustenburg on Thursday, 12 September 2019.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) of Bojanala Region embarked on a huge march to submit their memorandum to the Rustenburg Local Municipality. Amongst the issues they were complaining about, it was around the issue of the Municipality by – laws.
The SANTACO arranged for their march to start after 08:30 to 12:30 midday. The primary purpose for starting late was not to disrupt teaching and learning process in all schools within Rustenburg.
MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela who was excited that schools were not disrupted in Rustenburg applauded SANTACO.
“On behalf of the department I would like to applaud SANTACO on the way, they handled their march which was held in Rustenburg. We have seen a high level of discipline from their members because they did not expose our children to any risk. In other areas whenever there protests against the government, their first point is to close and disrupt schools. I wish this behaviour can be replicated by other stakeholders who have an interest in the education of their children. In all our high schools learners continued to write their Geography paper without any disruptions”, said MEC Matsemela.
MEC Matsemela further highlighted that according to the South African constitution in the Bill of Rights every learner has a right to education and no one should deny them that right.
The General Secretary of the SANTACO North West Province, Mr Velaphi Naphakathi emphasized that they spoke to all members that there should not be any disruptions.
“This was a peaceful march; we have agreed with all our members that there should not any school disruptions. We agreed that in the morning our operators should continue to transport learners to school and any other people to work. At 12:30 we were done with our march and operators continued to return learners to their respective destinations”, said Mr Naphakathi.
‘MEC Matsemela closed by saying that in those schools which had a low turn up today, a recovery plan for the lost time will be rolled out to the learners.
