Education is one of the tools, the means and the mental vehicles through which an individual can break down the shackles of poverty. It can also enrich and broaden the mind to break the symptoms of ignorance.

Education is one of the tools, the means and the mental vehicles through which an individual can break down the shackles of poverty. It can also enrich and broaden the mind to break the symptoms of ignorance.

Education can be utilised to enhance the capabilities and the ingrained natural intelligence that all of humanity is born with.

Education can liberate oppressed and disenfranchised nations and it is imperative that our leaders, the powers that be, leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all our children are accorded the right to learn.

It is within this context that I wish to take this opportunity to wish all matriculants everything of the best as they prepare to graduate to another level in life.

I am obviously mindful of the present danger, the temptations and the challenges that every South African child is faced with.

Our children are growing up in a corrupt world, full of drudgery, broken dreams, broken families, greed and thuggery.

Every day of my infected life I pray for their salvation, for the superior being to protect and to nurture their potential so that they can be responsible and law-abiding global citizens as we strive to preserve the deteriorating spirit of humanity.

Their lives are under constant pressure through incurable infections such as HIV-Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases, through poverty, deprivation, substance abuse and political indoctrination.

It is critical that I, and each and every one of you, recognise, understand and accept that it is our inherent responsibility to alleviate the heavy load that is pressing and keeping them down.

After all, children are the only beings through which the progress and upliftment of any healthy nation can be determined.

I travel the length and breadth of our country and the world in an attempt to inspire, educate, warn and assist children, particularly the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the homeless, the orphaned, the sick and also those who are or may be considered scumbags of the earth.

Those whose empty lives have been consciously and/or unintentionally relegated to the dustbin of our tainted history.

I have seen how our children have been turned into cold-blooded and ruthless murderers simply because they know no better. I have seen how dreams are constantly interrupted by the brutality and the silent and deepening cries of children whose innocence is being raped and sodomised as some kind of a hobby.

I see lifeless bodies of babies who have been permanently removed from this world because their sex-crazed parents were irresponsible enough to ignore free and well-meaning messages of how the process of recreation can be managed and processed safely.

I appeal to every responsible citizen here and all over the world to make a conscious effort not to deter the progress of every, and any, child.

To those who have reached the crucial stage of aspiring to attain a matric certificate, once again, I wish you everything of the best.

May God, whatever you may perceive Him to be, richly bless you and keep you. Good luck.