ANC STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF COMRADE MARY METCALFE

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes Cabinet's approval of the appointment of comrade Mary Metcalfe as Director General of the Department of Higher Education and Training (see here).

With experience spanning several years in primary and higher education - the last appointment having been as Head of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand - comrade Mary has distinguished herself as having been a champion of transformation in education in South Africa. She has been involved in ANC education policy formulation, done work on special education, transformation and governance.

Having been deployed in various capacities which include MEC for Education (1994-1999), MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and Land Affairs (1999-2004) she has served the ANC with distinction.

In our 2009 Election Manifesto, we have singled out education as one of our five key priority areas and have confidence in comrade Mary's leadership to steer higher education to meet the aspirations of our people and the country. Preparing South Africans for the needs of a modern economy and a democratic society forms part of what the ANC seeks to achieve in education.

The ANC congratulates Mary Metcalfe on this important appointment, confident that she will continue to make an important contribution to the transformation of higher education and training in our country.

Statement issued by Jessie Duarte, African National Congress national spokesperson, August 13 2009

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