Limpopo’s MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Joe Maswanganyi said it was inspiring to see adults dedicating themselves to the war against illiteracy, poverty and unemployment. He was a keynote speaker during the Department of Education – Vhembe District Municipality’s Abet Awards ceremony at the Thohoyandou Town Hall on Thursday last week.

“As parents, we are role models for our children and they copy everything we do. By engaging ourselves in education, we are setting good examples that will encourage our children to study hard. Our behaviour as adults has a massive influence on the future of our children. We have a greater responsibility of contributing to the educational development of our community, regardless of our ages. The culture of reading should be instilled in our kids when they learn from us that reading brings knowledge in our everyday life. Education is not only about reading and writing, but we also need to preserve our indigenous knowledge because a nation without culture is lost.”

Maswanganyi commended the adult learners and their educators for their achievements despite a lack of resources. “It is makes us proud because we have been waiting for this day to celebrate your achievements. Success depends on your passion to learn, dedication, determination and hard work. The fruits of your hard labour have finally paid off today and we hope you will use your knowledge for the benefit of society. Learning is a holistic and continuous process which does not leave arts and culture behind.”

The MEC further added that there was a need to increase literary works in marginalized languages like Tshivenda and Xitsonga. “We do not have many books in Tshivenda and Xitsonga. It is our responsibility to make sure that these languages are well established by writing more books. We need to stop the idea of writing for money because the most important thing is to convey knowledge to society. By writing many books in our indigenous languages, we prepare a strong knowledge foundation for the coming generations.”

Categories that were presented with trophies and certificates include Best Learner, Best Educator, Best Centre, Best Circuit Cluster, Best Centre Manager, Best Performers in Xibelane, Malende and Tshigombela, Best Poet, Best Circuit Cluster in Bead-making, Best Circuit Cluster in Needlework, Best Circuit Cluster in Clay Articles, Best Reader in Tshivenda and Best Reader in Xitsonga.