The Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, has urged learners at Boswa Primary School to understand that good character is just as important as academic achievement when preparing for the future. Speaking to the pupils, Gaolathe encouraged them to become virtuous children who can grow into responsible, honest and upright men and women. He reminded them that the habits they develop while they are young can influence the kind of adults they eventually become. His message placed strong emphasis on discipline, respect, truthfulness and a willingness to learn from the people around them. These values can help young people build confidence, earn the trust of others and make meaningful contributions to their communities as they grow.
Gaolathe encouraged the learners to take punctuality seriously, explaining that arriving on time is an important part of developing discipline and responsibility. Being punctual allows pupils to start their lessons prepared and shows consideration for their teachers and fellow learners. He also urged them to listen attentively when their teachers are speaking because careful listening helps learners understand lessons and make better use of the opportunities provided at school. Education involves more than simply attending classes and completing assignments, as pupils also need to develop habits that support concentration, curiosity and active participation. By learning to value time and pay attention, children can develop practical skills that will remain useful throughout their education and later working lives.
The Vice President also encouraged the learners to be curious about the journeys taken by their teachers and to ask questions about how they reached their chosen profession. He suggested that pupils take the initiative to speak to their educators about the paths they followed to become teachers. Such conversations can expose young people to different educational and career possibilities while helping them understand that professional success often develops through years of learning, effort and commitment. Teachers can provide valuable examples because they have experienced many of the challenges and decisions that come with pursuing an education and building a career. Encouraging learners to ask these questions can therefore help them connect what they learn in the classroom with the possibilities available to them in the future.
Gaolathe placed particular emphasis on honesty, describing truthfulness as an important quality that can earn a person respect. He reminded the learners that people are more willing to listen to someone when they know that person is speaking the truth. Honesty can strengthen relationships between learners, teachers, parents and members of the wider community because trust depends on people believing that others will be truthful with them. Children who learn to take responsibility for their words and actions can develop a reputation for reliability as they grow older. The lesson also shows that integrity is not simply an abstract principle, but a quality that can influence how people respond to and trust an individual.
The message delivered at Boswa Primary School highlights the role that schools play in shaping young people beyond their academic development. Schools provide children with opportunities to learn knowledge and skills, but they also help them understand responsibility, cooperation, respect and ethical behaviour. Values such as punctuality, attentiveness and honesty can influence how learners approach their studies as well as how they interact with others. When children practise these values consistently, they can develop stronger habits that prepare them for further education, employment and participation in society. Gaolathe’s encouragement therefore placed character development alongside education as an important foundation for building capable and responsible future citizens.
His call for learners to take initiative also reflects the importance of active participation in education. Rather than waiting for information to be provided, children can benefit from asking questions, seeking guidance and showing genuine interest in the experiences of their teachers. This approach can help learners discover subjects and careers that they may not have considered before. It can also teach them that progress often requires personal effort and the confidence to seek information from people with relevant experience. By encouraging curiosity at primary school level, educators and leaders can help children develop a mindset that supports lifelong learning.
The emphasis on good character is particularly relevant as young people prepare to take on greater responsibilities in their communities. A child who learns to respect time, listen to others and speak honestly is developing qualities that can influence relationships and decision-making later in life. These behaviours can also help learners respond more effectively to challenges because discipline encourages consistency while honesty encourages accountability. Good character does not develop through a single lesson, but through repeated choices and everyday actions at home, at school and within the community. The guidance offered to the Boswa Primary School learners serves as a reminder that becoming a successful adult involves both acquiring knowledge and developing strong personal values.
Gaolathe’s message to the learners ultimately focused on preparing them for the responsibilities that come with adulthood. His encouragement to be punctual, listen to teachers, ask questions and remain truthful gives pupils practical principles they can apply in their daily lives. Academic success can open important opportunities, but qualities such as honesty, discipline and respect can help young people make responsible choices once those opportunities arise. By developing good character from an early age, learners can position themselves to become dependable professionals, community members and leaders in the future. The call for the children of Boswa Primary School to grow into upright men and women reinforces the importance of combining education with integrity, responsibility and a genuine commitment to becoming better members of society.
