Fly the South African flag high. That was the advice given to students departing to the American University of Nigeria as part of a programme by the Jacob G Zuma Foundation.
Nineteen students were funded by the foundation to study abroad and were given a grand send off in Durban attended by President Zuma on Friday.
Executive Chairperson of the Jacob G Zuma Foundation Dudu Myeni, said last year the foundation faced many challenges including not raising enough funds .
The SAA chairperson said: “We pay a quarter of a million rand for you (students) to travel to Nigeria. I won’t blame anyone for the cost of the ticket. It is very difficult, because I am in a space where I cant even grant one or two students a free ticket to Nigeria because of reasons that you all know, therefore we pay” .
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana, warned students that they must not “cause trouble in Nigeria, and start a fees must fall movement” adding that the students must “fly the South African flag”.
Zuma urged businessman to contribute to the education of citizens.
“You are contributing to create citizens who will create jobs, who will increase the actives or the size of the economy.” Zuma said he is “passionate about education” and that he is “very happy that we have reached this point, in the endeavour to change the quality of our lives.
“When I took the decision to do this, it was informed by many things. Which I will have time (to explain) when I retire”, he said.
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