Programme Director,
The Honourable Minister Buti Manamela,
Representatives from DHET,
Former Members of the MQA Board,
Harmony Gold Management and representatives,
Representatives from government departments,
Management and representatives from our associated mining houses,
Representatives from Organised Labour
Members of the MQA Executives,
Our employers,
Education and skills development providers,
Media representatives,
Our esteemed AET learners and graduates,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
All protocol observed.
Good morning, esteemed guests, colleagues, partners in education, and most importantly, the AET learners and future leaders gathered here today.
It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you on this annual significant occasion, as we celebrate the 2025 International Literacy Day, hosted by the MQA, in partnership with Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and the Department of Higher Education and Training, through the Community Education and Training College branch. This event is hosted at Harmony Gold, a place that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to uplifting communities through education and empowerment.
Allow me to acknowledge the leadership of Harmony Gold, the Department of Higher Education and Training, our partners in the mining and minerals sector, and all stakeholders who continue to champion literacy and skills development in South Africa.
This year, we celebrate under the theme: “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.”
This theme is not just timely, it is transformative. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, literacy has evolved beyond the ability to read and write. It now encompasses the capacity to access, evaluate, create, and communicate digital content safely and meaningfully.
Despite global progress, 739 million youth and adults still lack basic literacy skills. In South Africa, many communities, especially those in mining regions, face compounded challenges, such as limited access to digital tools, under-resourced schools, and socio-economic barriers that hinder educational advancement.
Harmony Gold has shown us what responsible corporate citizenship looks like. Through initiatives such as the Matric Excellence Awards, the CEO Financial Support Programme, and over 900 school projects implemented in the last five years, Harmony has empowered thousands of learners with laptops, bursaries, and internships. These efforts are not just commendable—they are essential. They reflect a deep understanding that education is the cornerstone of transformation, and that literacy is the bridge to opportunity.
At the Mining Qualifications Authority, we are equally committed to this cause. Our mandate is to develop skills within the mining and minerals sector, ensuring that young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds are equipped to thrive in a rapidly digitising world.
We are actively working to:
- Promote STEM subjects at grassroots level.
- Support skills audits to align workforce capabilities with industry needs.
- Collaborate with institutions to improve graduate employability.
- Address the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its implications for mining skills.
Today, I call on all stakeholders, government, industry, educators, and communities to prioritise digital literacy as a human right and a developmental imperative.
Let us:
- Ensure every learner has access to digital tools.
- Train educators to teach digital competencies.
- Create safe, inclusive digital learning environments.
- Recognise literacy as a lever for empowerment and transformation.
In closing, let us remember literacy is not just about letters and numbers, it is about dignity, opportunity, and freedom. As we celebrate International Literacy Day, let us recommit to building a South Africa where every child, every worker, and every citizen can read, write, and thrive in the digital era.
Let me leave you with the words of Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and a lifelong advocate for education and human rights:
“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a bulwark against poverty, and a building block of development.”
Thank you.