South Africa: Department of Education in KwaZulu Natal hosted the KZN RCL Workshop and Provincial RCL Executive Committee Election. The workshop and election hosted on Wednesday was the second of its kind to be held in the province.
The theme for this year’s conference was, “Fostering integrity and Resilience: Empowering African Learners for the 21st Century.” The department of Education in KwaZulu Natal maintained that the event is extremely important for the province.
Bongani Simelane, Acting District Director for Umgungundlovu gave the members of the organization a warm welcome. He said, “As the host district we are privileged to welcome representatives from various districts across the province. The attendants of the event are coming together with a shared purpose.
The aim of the gathering is to highlight the voice of the learners and forge a path towards a brighter future. The event will elect the new RCL Executive Committee for the KwaZulu Natal Province.
The Provincial Committee will represent KZN at the National RCL Executive Committee elections later in the year.
The RCL structure in schools is responsible to create an opportunity to identify and train future leaders. The structure creates an opportunity for the expression of the voice of learners in matters concerning education.
Further, the initiative allows learners to participate in the decision-making process regarding the school. Finally, it also helps create healthy relationships amongst learners, educators, non-educators and parents.
The workshop was attended by a number of youngsters who were educated on their role in the decision making process. The Head of the Department Nkosinathi Ngcobo addressed the young leaders present at the event.
He said, “Let me take this opportunity to encourage learners who are eligible to vote to go out in numbers and make your mark. In front of me today I can already see future parliamentarians, business leaders and future CEOs.”
“Give yourselves enough time and apply yourselves to the topics that will be discussed today, I have no doubt that your deliberations will yield positive results.”
The event concluded with the election of Kevin Kalala as the president of the KZN RCL Executive Committee. The new president of the RCL comes from Glenwood Boys High School under Umlazi District. IEC was present to ensure that the elections were free and fair.