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The State of the Nation Address, (SoNA), is part of the opening of Parliament and is a key event on South Africa’s Parliamentary and political calendar. It is delivered to a joint sitting of Parliament’s National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.

Education empowers

Learners throughout South Africa are preparing to write their National Senior Certificate examinations. To raise awareness of the importance of the exams and rally support for learners, the Department of Basic Education started a campaign called Let’s Support the Class of 2010. So let us all as parents, guardians, siblings, friends give our heartfelt support to them during the coming exams.

Government’s focus on health as a national priority is gaining pace in South Africa’s economically most important province.

Gauteng’s Health and Social Development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe has set firm targets for providing anti- retroviral treatment to more people living with HIV, increasing male circumcision services and fighting the spread of tuberculosis.

His achievements, despite his disability, have turned South Africa’s top wheelchair tennis player and champion Lucas Sithole, into a formidable role model for many young people. And, despite being ranked among the top 20 in the world, this tennis ace remains modest and humble. 

Education empowers

Schooling 2025 is the name of a new action plan by government to improve the education system in schools. It aims to improve all aspects of education such as teacher recruitment, learner enrolment, school funding, mass literacy and numeracy and overall quality of education.

Government has announced major changes to the economy to create jobs and speed up infrastructure development.

President Jacob Zuma will head a newly created Infrastructure Commission, while Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will chair a new Job Creation Commission to reaffirm governmnt's commitment to these important issues.

n 2002, at the age of 11, Emily’s left leg was amputated as a result of osteosarcoma – that is cancer of the femur. 

Chemotherapy had failed to reduce the cancer, so she had to make a life-changing decision, to either lose her leg or lose her life! After losing her leg, the outgoing and sport loving girl who loved surfing, backpacking, running middle distance races and hiking felt like her life had come to a grinding halt. 

All of this, added to the pressing need in the country to identify and develop talented athletes, has led government to re-introduce Physical Education (PE) in schools. 

Lethloo, a 38-year-old father of two young boys, who attended the International Day of People with Disabilities event in Bloemfontein at the end of 2011, said he wanted nothing more than a job.

He uses a wheelchair to get around but said given a chance, he can do anything with his hands.