“Ekurhuleni” – means place of peace in Xitsonga. “Ekurhuleni” was taken from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and “West” from the Western Belt within the Municipal area, where all the campuses are situated.

Principal’s Address – Diploma Ceremony

26 May Esselen Park School of Excellence

Programme Director, Ms Bennita Sisi; Chairperson of the College Council, Dr Mpho Mohlala; members of the college council present; Guest Speaker, Mr Mbuyiseni Quinton Ndlozi – MP; Pastor Mathebula; management and staff of Ekurhuleni West TVET College; parents and family members present – most important people; our guests – employers and prospective employers; donors and media representatives present; our own students – diplomandi and those receiving certificates – though last in mention, but not least in love.

A very good afternoon.

My task is an easy one – to say, “Thank you.”

Nine years ago, at my first Diploma Ceremony, the numbers we had were not so many and it would not have warranted this kind of venue in size, but today, it is overflowing – making us to think out of the box.

This event could not have been possible if it was not for the students – actually the college exists because there are students. Thanks for standing in branding “EWC” and making us proud.

My many thanks to the staff that work so tirelessly in and out of class.

Helen Keller once said, “The World is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”

To my dear students, this is what you are saying to yourselves:

O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
Exult O shores, and ring O bells! – Walt Whitman

Technical and Vocational, Education and Training colleges in South Africa have entered an exciting space. Along with changes, colleges are more vulnerable to external influences. Economic forces, i.e. escalating costs and shifting of resources, are some of the factors that have forced colleges to be more effective and efficient and to re-examine what we do.

Government, professional bodies, industry and commerce and other stakeholders are demanding greater accountability. These have increased demand for participation, changing student’s and lecturer’s characteristics and aspirations. The more time and energy students invest in educationally purposeful activities, the more they gain – and today we see the results thereof.