Ten years ago, activists and education experts came together to discuss the inequality in education in South Africa. They recognised the need to mobilise communities, and for a people’s movement for education quality and inequality to be led by young people.
The democratic, membership-based organisation that was then envisioned, is Equal Education (EE).
In March 2008, the very first EE Youth Group meeting was held in Khayelitsha. Only seven learners arrived at this first meeting. That was the beginning of 10 years of youth activism. There are now over 6000 EE members who gather every week, in five provinces, engaged in political education, and leading the struggle to #FixOurSchools.
Throughout this year we will be reflecting on our impact: fostering political consciousness; winning systemic and localised improvements that manifest in the form of pro-poor policy, and safe and dignified learning environments for poor and working class learners; and enabling the emergence of young activist leaders and other civil society formations.
On Wednesday 28 February (tomorrow), EE members, EE staff, supporters of EE, and our partner organisations will come together to mark 10 years of EE.
Speakers at our Khayelitsha mass meeting are:
Equalisers from Manyano High School and Oscar Mpeta Secondary School, Zintle Mendu and Amahle Geqiwe.
Anti-apartheid activist and journalist Shepi Mati.
Chief executive of the Human Sciences Research Council, and former EE board member Crain Soudien.
Former President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe (via video).
The Gauteng and Eastern Cape members will join the main meeting in Khayelitsha via livestream.
When: 4pm, Wednesday 28 February 2018
Where:
Western Cape: Oliver Tambo Hall, Govan Mbeki Road, Khayelitsha.
Gauteng: School of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown.
Eastern Cape: Steve Biko Centre, Mbeka Street, Ginsberg.
For media queries:
Mila Kakaza (Communications Officer) 076 553 3133
For media interviews:
Tshepo Motsepe (General Secretary of EE) 071 886 5637
Ntuthuzo Ndzomo (Deputy General Secretary of EE) 072 931 4343
Yoliswa Dwane (Founding member of EE, and current Chairperson of EE’s National Council) 076 953 5450
Doron Isaacs (Founding member of EE, and current EE Treasurer) 082 850 2111
#10YearsEE #EE10
