​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe has encouraged learners to get into the culture of reading from the first day of school.
Hlope took part in the executive's monitoring and oversight visits to schools in Soweto on Wednesday to mark the beginning of the 2022 academic year. 
The visits seek to monitor that all teachers and learners are in class, on time and teaching, and learning is taking place.
Hlope's first stop was at Tlhatlogang Junior Secondary School before moving to Rebone Primary School and Asha Monica Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD). 
Addressing learners at Tlhalogang, Hlophe said although the school received a 95 % matric pass rate in 2020, learners must strive for 100% this year.
"Anything is possible through dedication and hard work because you won't realise your greatest potential without dedication. We want you to realise the highest expression of yourself by being focused from day one. 
"Your parents brought you here so you can be that generation that takes their family out of poverty. It's not easy but what you are, does not determine what you can be. 
You must be disciplined, focused and apply yourself to your work," said Hlophe.
During the visit, the MEC was accompanied by sporting legends Lucky Lekgwathi and Thembinkosi Lorch as well as television actress Sibusisiwe Jili and Mlungisi Mathe who also encouraged learners to work hard and reach for their dreams.
"Sports education not only teaches learners to maintain physical stamina but also the habit of obedience, discipline, the determination to win and willpower," Legwati told learners.
Canon South Africa was on hand to donate printers while the department ensured that the netball and soccer teams at the two schools are ready for the sports league with a donation of athletic kits and mobile library book trolleys. 
A donation of educational toys was made to Asha Monica ECD centre.
MEC Hlophe said it is important for young people to see their idols as this will encourage them to  pursue their dreams.
"During this visit I want to encourage you on the business of sports and arts, don't only look at being the actor or the sporting personality. There are many career options in both these fields which you can peruse. 
"We want you to get into manufacturing sporting gear, we want to see more young people in that space. We have the Gauteng Film Commission where people can get into filmmaking."
The MEC said she was excited that the Department of Education will be reviving the Wednesday leagues programme at schools across the province.
"We couldn't have sports in schools over the past two years due to COVID-19. We need to consciously invest in school sport to increase the pipeline of our sporting codes," Hlophe said.