I would like to take this opportunity to wish all matriculants well in the important final examinations they are currently facing.

The Musina Municipality applauds their commitment and effort they buckled down to the priority task of preparing themselves for the most important academic examination of their lives thus far. South Africa needs skilled, educated young people and commitment to doing well in this examination is an expression of contribution to our country´s suc-cess.

The fundamental purpose of education is to gain knowledge, inculcate the forms of proper conduct and acquire technical competency. Education serves as the means to develop oneself physically, mentally and socially.

Acquiring the Grade 12 Certificate represents a very important qualification to a better world. With this certificate you will have the option of going to a university or other institutions of higher learning. The importance of education manifests itself in terms of the need to cultivate the youths of society into mature individuals.

The government is committed to growing the economy in the Musina area. But it can only happen if we have young people who are equipped with relevant skills and knowledge, to help build the country. Therefore we need all of you to do well and achieve even better results than all of your previous examinations, and continue your studies in university or college. It is the time to develop the principles of life, make career decisions and begin the pursuit of one´s goals.

Education should open doors for new opportunities in various fields. It should help you to find avenues to pursue your likes. It should enable you to venture into new fields and explore new areas. Education must help you to realize your goals. It trains the human mind to think and take the right decision. The quality of human resource of a nation is easily judged by the number of literate population living in it.

I want to wish you well and urge you to keep your focus. Please use the last few days to cover certain subject areas you are unsure of and prepare for this examination to the best of your ability.

Education is a must if a nation aspires to achieve growth and development and more importantly, to sustain it. This may well explain the fact that rich and developed nations of the world have very high literacy rate and productive human resource. In fact these nations have started imparting selective training and education programs so as to meet the new technical and business demands of the 21st century.

I know that many of you have been learning under the most testing of circumstances, but the fact that you are now preparing for this examination, says much of your character and determination. I am very proud of the fact that you have made it thus far and have confidence in your ability to overcome this last hurdle.

The importance of education cannot be neglected by any nation. And in today’s world, the role of education has become even more vital. It is an absolute necessity for economic and social development of any nation.

Please, remain focused in the remaining days; be confident in your ability; concentrate intensely on your books; and make us all proud at the end of the day.

You must remember that the government, your parents, families and all our communities love you and support you. The entire education community is standing by you as you prepare for the examinations.

I want to urge our parents to support the matriculants in preparing for their exams, and give them space and time to concentrate on their studies. - Musina Mayor, Cllr Carolina Mahasela.