SPEECH DELIVERED BY
THE HONORABLE MINISTER – TINKHUNDLA ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES LAUNCH AT MAFUTSENI
BOBABE TIKHULU
MANZINI REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
MAFUTSENI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
MAFUTSENI INDVUNA YENKHUNDLA
BUCOPHO
SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Today marks an important day in the calendar of Tikhundla, we are witnessing Tinkhundla in action, we are witnessing Tinkhundla delivering on their core mandate, that of empowering communities with skills required by the labor market.
I recall mid last year when I launched the 10th European Development Fund community skills development support to eight Tinkhundla, I challenged the participating Tinkhundla to think of skills that are going to make a big impact in the lives of the people and also promised that the Inkhundla to come out first in implementing its projects will be rewarded with a good prize. I am still committed to that promise and will be waiting for a report from my officials as to which among the eight Tinkhundla will go away with the Prize.
His Majesty’s Government and my Ministry is grateful for the grant received from the European Union to Mafutseni Inkhundla. I am happy that the Inkhundla and the community has taken this grant with both hands and put it to good use. I think it will also be useful to share with our partners know that the project we are about here was not identified by the Inkhundla Council, nor by officials but was identified by the beneficiaries themselves. And this is the true character of Tinkhundla. It is the people themselves who lead the process and say what the need the most. Our duty as government is to respond to the needs of the people. We are glad that with the support of the European Union were able to respond timeously to the needs of this community.
Today we are celebrating the successful completion of vocational skills training of thirty seven students (37) in Garment design, Electrical Wiring and Welding. These are essential skills and can transform people’s lives if used properly. If you look around all of us here are putting on some garments. When I travel pass this Inkhundla at night, all one sees is sprawling lights and you see there is huge demand electricians. When the buildings industry goes up, the builders will definitely need welders to complete their structures. I therefore think you made a good choice in the skills you are trained on. However I want to challenge you not to stop learning as the skills you have acquired in the past three months are just an introduction to this new world you have entered. Use the skills to start new businesses. We want to come back here in the not so distant future to open your own businesses.
I am glad that today we are celebrating your success with BoBabe Tikhulu. All I can say to them is to say thank you for the vision you have for this Inkhundla and we all rely on you wise leadership to ensure that we all get to 2022 as directed by Their Majesties happy, disease free and prosperous.
With these few words, congratulations to all the students graduating today. And we look forward to receiving new students soon. We will monitor how you use this facility. Our wish is that it must grow to be a big, reputable vocational skills training institution in the not so distant future. I hope you all heard what His Majesty said when he said government must decentralize institutions of higher learning. This can be the beginning of such great ideas His Majesty has shared with the nation.
Congratulations!!!!!!
Thank you.