Let me take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the glitz and glamour of the 2020 SADTU Eastern Cape Teachers' Awards. This is an important gathering in the calendar of SADTU Eastern Cape as we converge here today to celebrate the exploits of excellent SADTU aligned teachers.

Comrades, we have come a long way. You have demonstrated your leadership prowess by once again delivering a congress of this magnitude. I want to thank all delegates for indeed delivering this Congress as per the mandate of the members of this mighty Union.

This candle represent love to those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Let's show and give them love because to some that is the only thing they need. Lets rekindle hope and faith in their lives. Let's live our lives responsibly. Those who are faithful please remain faithful, it's the right thing to do. To those who can't abstain nor have single partners please condomise ALL the times.

I am indeed fortunate and highly favoured that today, 29 years since this revolutionary union was founded, I address you in the land of your birth, Nasrec, Johannesburg. Revolutionary greetings to the leadership, members of SADTU and Alliance at large.

First, let me express my profound gratitude for the invitation to take part at this, the 9th National Congress of SADTU. Much has already been said about the significance of this Congress for SADTU, and indeed for the entire trade union movement of our country.

Please receive revolutionary greetings on behalf of the entire 260 000 Members of SADTU who are scattered across the length and breadth of our beautiful Country, present in all our Primary and Secondary Schools, our TVETS colleges and Universities.

It was an honour to receive this invitation to address you today and to say thank you to educators, who mould and shape our future generations. I stand before you today to deliver this message about a country on the brink of hope and possibility. A country that stands at a crossroads and where every one of us will be asked to make choices to build the South Africa we want.

The Indaba takes place at the time we are celebrating the centenary of the Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. Nelson Mandela characterized education as the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. We meet at a time when the world we must change is changing our rapidly. We are a generation that witnessed the collapse of the Berlin Hall, the end of apartheid in our country and many other world events. We thought we were making progress in creating a better world.

Kusapho lwakwaLoliwe, izihlobo nezalamane naye wonke umntu olapha oze kukhunga, siyabulisa ngale mini. Silapha namhlanje ukuza kuthi akuhlanga lungehlanga, lalani ngenxeba. UFezi wayebalulekile kuthina sonke silusapho lakwaSADTU, sikhala kunye nani, silahlekelwe singum'butho wothishala.

This year`s World Teachers` Day (WTD) celebrations on October 5 highlight the importance of empowering teachers as a critical step towards quality education and sustainable societies, under the UNESCO Slogan, "Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies".

SADTU celebrates 25 years of existence on the 6th October this year. This giant was born in 1990 to liberate the teachers from yoke of apartheid. To liberate our country from Bantu education. To liberate our young people and adults from ignorance. Looking back on our rich history- our heroic struggles, our accomplishments, our proudest moments and challenging moments- and celebrating how far we have come as well as what the future holds.

We bring you warm greetings from the more than 32 million teachers and education personnel in the world. We are truly humbled by your presence in this celebration hosted by the DOE in the beautiful province of KZN.

SADTU celebrates 25 years of existence on the 6th October this year. This giant was born in 1990 to liberate the teachers from yoke of apartheid. To liberate our country from Bantu education. To liberate our young people and adults from ignorance. Looking back on our rich history- our heroic struggles, our accomplishments, our proudest moments and challenging moments- and celebrating how far we have come as well as what the future holds.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) is a significant player in the social, economic and educational fabric of South Africa, and there can be no denying that it has a vital contribution to make in the continued growth of the country, both as an organisation as well as through the actions and contributions of its members.