Photo: Electronics and ICT equipment (TV sets and Laptops), handed over to Laezonia school
Photo: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during his speech at the launch of the Romanian Assistance Programme for Township and Rural Schools in South Africa.
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, working in partnership with the Embassy of Romania, participated in the launch of the Romanian Assistance Programme for Township and Rural Schools in South Africa on 25 April 2023.
The programme was launched at Laezonia Primary School in Doornrandje, Centurion. The Romanian Embassy handed over electronics and ICT equipment (TV sets and Laptops), stationery, kitchenware, and sports equipment, as well as learning and teaching materials. The programme is part of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) for South Africa and is facilitated by the Romanian Government through the Romanian Agency for International Development (RoAid).
The European Union, Slovak, Lithuanian, Turkish, Egyptian and Palestinian Ambassadors, MEC for education, South African government officials, community leaders and scholars attended the vibrant event.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, on behalf of the government, expressed his thanks and gratitude towards the contribution to the school’s vision and welcomed the great initiative by the Romanian government, in light of the fact that South Africa values education highly.
The Deputy Minister said that South Africa values education as it is the priority for the future leaders and commended the commitment of the Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Ms. Monica Sitaru for following up and fulfilling the Laezonia commitment, as sometimes people commit, but they do not follow through.
Photo: The Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Ms. Monica Sitaru, during her speech at the launch of the Romanian Assistance Programme for Township and Rural Schools in South Africa
In her speech, the Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Ms. Monica Sitaru, thanked everyone for attending the event and said she was very glad to be at the Laezonia school on the very special occasion, and it was her great joy to announce the launch of the rural school’s assistance program by the Romanian Government through the Romanian Agency for International Development.
Romania has decided to increase the annual allocation to the African Continent from 14.5% provided in 2021 to 17% of the total Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Official Development Assistance budget for the period of 2022-2025.
During the European Union-African Union Summit, that took place in Brussels in February last year, the President of Romania, H.E. Mr. Klaus Iohannis emphasized that for Romania, education has traditionally been a prominent area for cooperation with Africa. “We take great pride in the fact that thousands of African citizens, former students in my country, use the competences gained in Romanian universities to serve their countries and to build bridges between the countries of origin and Romania. “
Photo: EU Ambassador H.E. Ms. Sandra Kramer, during her remarks at the Laezonia School Student
Photo: Mrs. Martha Raholane, the Principal of the Laezonia school
Photo: Ms. Bathandwa, founder of the African Show Coalition Institute
Photo: Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, Ambassadors, and scholars attending the vibrant event.
Photo: #Romania Embassy in South Africa contributing to South Africa’s values and vision of education.
“This is why we intend to scale up our commitment to strong educational partnerships with Africa in the years to come. Over 17,500 young Africans have studied in our universities in the past five years, and around 3,500 students from at least 40 countries are enrolled annually in Romanian universities, enriching our country’s academic life through their presence and stimulating a better understanding between people of the two continents, ” she added.
” I am very proud to inform you that Laezonia is the first project for the rural schools in South Africa, but this will not be the last one.
This is a flagship and impactful initiative meant to support the quality of the education and the students’ skills in South Africa’s rural and township schools.
“Today, we are handing over to Laezonia Primary School electronic equipment (TV sets and laptops), stationery, kitchenware, and sports equipment worth around 25 thousand Euros, ” she intimated.
It is her hope that the Romanian Government’s initiative launched today will help to overcome the challenges that rural areas and townships face.
Romania’s commitment to South Africa’s educational sector does not end with this donation. It will continue in the years to come and will contribute to strengthening the ties between Romania and South Africa.
“We believe that such kind of projects are really useful for the South African learners and teachers as well as the local communities, ” she added.
Access to quality education for all, at all levels is a top priority for the European Union as well, and Romania, as a member of the European Union is strongly committed to support this goal, including through the Team Europe Initiatives in the field of education.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
Improving basic education in the rural areas will make a significant impact on economic development and will bring huge benefits to the country. In President’s Mandela words, ‘no country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. President Mandela also said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ‘
Before I conclude, I would like to thank again the Deputy Minister Alvin Botes and his Office, the EU Ambassador Ms. Sandra Kramer, Gauteng
Education Member of Executive Council Mr. Matome Chiloane and all the Ambassadors for being with us today.”
” I would like to thank Ms. Bathandwa, founder of the African Show Coalition Institute for her wonderful assistance on putting this event together.
I also commend the Institute for its tireless efforts and devotion to improving the quality of education in rural and townships schools.”
“I would also like to thank Mrs. Martha Raholane, the Principal of the school for the excellent organisation of the event and her personal involvement.
Last but not least, I would like to thank M&T Solutions Pty Ltd Company for supporting us in ensuring the transportation of the goods to the
Laezonia school. “