It was glitz and glamour at City of love & Restoration Full Gospel Church in Sasolburg as the church hosted an event to honour and celebrate with graduates.
The Presiding Pastor, Reverend ThabisoMashiloane, explained that the main aim of the event was to recognize and celebrate with students, who have done well in their studies and have graduated, and also to encourage those who are yet to complete their studies and those who have given up on their studies.
With this year’s theme of “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today” the Church wanted to lay a solid foundation for the future learners.
The event included career guidance by graduates from various fields such as Law, Medicine, Dentistry and Chemistry among others.
The Church has been hosting this type of a service on a yearly basis for the first nine years of its establishment, and from 2019 it took a decision that the service will include not only Church members but also members of the community.
Mashiloane said it is important for the Church to take a leading role in guiding and preparing learners and students of today for the future.
“Our children must know the importance of education, it is never too late to start studying and no one is ever too old to study. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us we need an educated society, as education evolves, with relevant 21st century skills opportunities will surely present themselves. It is also important that as we pursue secular knowledge, we should also pursue the knowledge of God because are not educated until you know God,” he said.
The main speaker of the day was Free State MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, who emphasized the importance of learning and studying mathematics and for learners to get proper advices and guidance when it comes to curriculum and career choices.
Learners and students were presented with gifts such as computer gadgets, books and stationery.
Motivation of the day was presented by ThembaLu khele aka ‘SkeemGp’’.
Mashiloane mentioned that the Church will soon start offering mathematical lessons to their Sunday school children and also help them with their homework.
He added: “I would also like to encourage parents to support their children and allow children to make their own decisions on career paths to follow, and stop choosing careers for them. To our children, reaching grade 12 is not the
end, it is just the beginning. Please stop with the ‘Keqetile’ mentality when
reaching matric.”
Also forming part of the event were Metsimaholo Local Municipality Speaker and ward councilor, Mr Thabo Mabasa and Dr Maboe who used to work for the Free State and Gauteng Department of Education.
Also present was Sister Letsholo, who gave advices on the observation of Covid-19 health protocols.
