BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – It was a moment of joy and happiness, as 143 students from William Pitcher Teacher Training College participated in a graduation ceremony.
The graduation ceremony took place at Devine Healing Ministries in Manzini. However, Minister Nxumalo was represented by Chief Inspector of Tertiary Institutions Dr. Buyisile Dladla.
In his speech, Nxumalo described this day as a day of pride, reflection, and anticipation—not only for the graduates, but for their families, mentors, and all those who have supported them on this journey.
The minister expressed hope that the graduates realised that the three years spent in preparing them as teachers were an important investment to them and that of their families as well as to the Government. “I therefore urge all of you to take this investment seriously. Go out there to make a positive impact on the lives of the young Emaswati using the knowledge, attitude and skills acquired during your train,” Nxumalo said.
The minister hailed the graduates’ families and loved ones, thanking them for the encouragement and support they have provided these graduates. “Your belief in their dreams has helped bring them to this milestone,” he said.
He also thanked the staff for their dedication to preparing the next generation of educators. “Your wisdom and commitment have instilled in these graduates the skills and values that will guide them as they enter their classrooms,” said the minister.
Minister Nxumalo expressed his deepest gratitude to the graduates for their choice to enter this vital field. He told them that the world was changing rapidly, with new challenges and opportunities in education emerging every day. “Our children and communities need educators like you—teachers who can inspire, adapt, and innovate. You are stepping into a role that will not only guide young people but will also help shape the future of our society,” he said.
He said as research-based and innovative teachers they were now, they should know that the world hungrily waited for their contribution towards economic revitalisation of best practices to aid the ailing economy and address challenges of the present times, such as climate change, unemployment and poverty.
“This, therefore, requires you not to rest on your achievements, but to continue in this journey of continuous learning to higher and relevant degrees. Never stop pursuing your educational dreams and taking risks in exploring the 21st Century skills to remain relevant,” Nxumalo told the graduates.
He called upon them to also explore their capabilities without reservation to create employment within the education space, as the country was challenged by unemployment.
He said ordinarily, job opportunities for teachers would always vary between rural, semi-urban and urban areas, though a lot of people normally wished to get jobs in urban schools. He said regardless of the location, teachers were expected to execute their responsibilities diligently and professionally at all times. In the event they got a job in remote areas, this was the place where the children needed their services the most. To those children, a teacher represented their dreams and hopes, which the teachers would need to usher to reality through innovative ways, to not leave anyone behind.
Nxumalo said educating a student was a socieatal issue that could not be radically transformed by the Ministry of Education and Training on its own. There was a need for a multi sectoral approach to ensuring every Liswati had access to quality, relevant education, adopting the equity principle.
He further thanked Government machinery i.e. Ministries, departments and agencies and everyone that contributed towards the successful training of the graduates.
The minister also extended special gratitude to the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) for their relentless efforts towards ensuring that the diplomas awarded to these graduates were credible and of quality. The quest for quality and relevant programmes in higher education were a pre requisite for the desired future and as well as human capital export. “This is at the centre of the ‘NKWE’ policy directive,” he said.
The minister also recognised the lecturers, administrative and support staff of the institution. “Colleagues I appreciate you for your dedication and resilience especially during difficult situnations. I want all of you to walk tall in knowing that this gathering here today would not have been possible,” he said.
