In 2009, the late Dr Pule Herbert Isak Makgoe, who was known at Tate, was appointed MEC for education in the Free State. Confused at first, why he was appointed to the education portfolio, since he has no experience as a teacher and is qualified in civil engineering and finance, he soon realizes that he was appointed because of his love for mathematics and science.
He took on the task but little did he know that his education portfolio would become the place where he poured his heart and soul for more than 12 years.
In the last decade or so of his life, Tate loved and lived for the students of the Free State. He believes in the untapped potential of every student and he is determined that his faith and actions can inspire the faith and confidence of students.
Tate wants students to understand and live out where they can and supports it by taking action through various initiatives and bursaries for tertiary studies. He has always mentioned that part of his vision is to ensure that children who receive education from the public education system in the Free State will feel and understand that the teaching and learning is of sufficient quality and fairness for former model C and private schools.
He also has a clear understanding of the many challenges facing the country and the education sector as a whole, which he faces with vision, courage, humility and a strong team. He developed a strategy to transform the state of education in the Free State. One of the main focuses is to improve student performance in mathematics, physical science and general pass level quality for the National Senior Certificate.
In this endeavour, Tate believes that to achieve its goal of being “only the best” it needs the collaboration of expertise, resources and innovation from the right partners. He therefore supported Rand for Rand, a public-private partnership between Investec and the education department, with the Kutlwanong center for mathematics, science and technology as an implementing partner in a program called Promaths.
The goal of the partnership is to enable QwaQwa district to improve grade 12 math and science results for careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Why QwaQwa? He said, “I chose QwaQwa because it is a rural area, the president’s nodal point, the poorest area, and I know education can overcome poverty.”
The partnership started in QwaQwa in 2011 with 150 students in grade 10 and 150 in grade 11 in 2010 and has grown to 600 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. In 2014, the program was extended to the Parys, Kroonstad and Botshabelo areas in partnership with Bank Seta.
In 2019, Tate approached Harmony Gold Mining Company to partner with the Free State education department to support Lejweleputswa District. In 2021, he invited Foodbev Seta to be a partner to support students in Botshabelo. Before his death, there were plans to increase the number of program recipients in Botshabelo and QwaQwa in partnership with the Telkom Foundation and to explore new funding partners for Fezile Dabi and Xhariep districts.
MEC supports this program because it is diverse and addresses multiple student outcome challenges in one program. Tate is driven to change the culture and ecosystem of education in the Free State. Through her courageous leadership, wisdom, charisma, dedication and presence, she inspires and encourages everyone around her students to speak the language of support for student success.
As Kutlwanong, we will host parent meetings, ensure teacher development and host monthly dinners and awards for students. Tate will ensure that he attends the event to ensure that he articulates and articulates his vision. Therefore, the promaths program also supports the strategy of building a capacity and understanding ecosystem around students.
His decision to create a partnership between government and business resulted in students having access to careers in STEM. Today the Free State region and the country in general enjoy the services of medical doctors, engineers, accountants, actuaries and others who are qualified in record time because of the investment made in prime time at the SMA level.
I remember the first time the MEC came to a wonderful dinner for about 20 grade 12 students from Qwaqwa in 2011. He was invited along with the regent and relevant officials. After the formalities were over and we were all eating, we saw Tate sitting at each table to talk to the students. Then we realized that they were asking about the preparation for the exam. One of the students said that the teacher had left and the class still had to finish the syllabus. The MEC spoke to the district officials in charge of the matter, aware of the problem and needing a solution for implementation on Monday.
MEC leads with knowledge and presence. There is no school in the Free State that you will mention in MEC that does not know and cannot cite what is happening in the school, the results, the challenges, what solutions are being implemented and who is responsible.
MEC Tate Makgoe, yes, will be remembered for his character and the good matrix results he and his team put in. I believe that he will be especially remembered and cherished by the lives of thousands of students who spoke to him; he listens, supports, and creates a teaching and learning environment that awakens the giant. Watching these thousands of students become the best despite their background will make them proud.
He has led with passion, becoming a pillar of the community and a driver for the progress of more than 10 000 students who have gone through the program. MEC Tate Makgoe lives to contribute to the people of this country who believe in great possibilities with the right partnership. He is led by vision, not by circumstances. All will miss his excellence in service and leadership, courage, wisdom, self-awareness, humility, kindness, vision and sense of humor. As Kutlwanong, we are grateful that we have the honor and privilege to serve and serve them. He ran a race and; he ran well. Robola ka katsuo MEC Tate Makgoe, what an honor to meet you.
Tumelo Mabitsela is the chief executive of the Kutlwanong Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect official policy or position Mail & Guardians.