Media Advisory
Pretoria, 14 June: To mark the 45th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, when young people protested against the imposition of Afrikaans by the apartheid regime, as a medium of instruction - the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, in partnership with the MTN SA Foundation, will unveil a multimedia centre for learners in Thembalentsha High School in Osizweni, KwaZulu-Natal. This launch forms part of a longstanding Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Department and the MTN SA Foundation.
The multimedia centre with connectivity at MTN’s cost for 24 months is a twenty seater with an electronic curriculum. The centre is also fitted with an interactive board which allows the teacher to present the class subjects to the students.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of struggle icon and human rights campaigner Charlotte Maxeke. She and other selfless women of her generation fought against oppression at a time when such defiance was met with unrelenting force. Youth month is celebrated under the theme: “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: “Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society”.
Deputy Minister in partnership with MTN SA will also be handing over 100 bicycles to four farm schools around Amajuba District, where learners have to walk long distances to get to school.
As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and COVID-19 has brought that closer to home.
Members of the media are invited to cover the event scheduled as follows:
Date: 15 June 2021
Time:10:00
Venue: Thembalentsha High School, 8074 Ob110 Street, Osizweni A - Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Makhosazana Mavuso on 072 732 9381 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
