Programme Director, Minister of Tourism, Honourable Derek Hanekom, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Honourable Lebogang Maile, The Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality, Councillor Busi Modisakeng, Our graduates, Ladies and gentlemen.

I am here on behalf of the Executive Mayor of the Emfuleni Local Municipality, Councillor Mahole Simon Mofokeng who could not be with us this morning due to other commitments.

Mine this morning is to do a vote of thanks. Indeed what we have just witnessed is a result of hard work from our graduates. I have no doubt that they deserve the very tokens they just received from the Department of Tourism and other stakeholders who ensured that as students you complete your programme.

Ladies and gentlemen, education is all about discipline. As students, you learnt both theory and practice. What is more is for you to apply this in your daily living.

South Africa is a tourist destination. Through you the economy of this country will grow because tourists may have the potential to invest in our beloved country. The future is present. By that I want to assure you that your hard work will not be overlooked.

Tourism is now an important sector and has impact on development of our economy. There are benefits in tourism such as income creation and generation of jobs. In other words, tourism is the most important source of welfare.

The ability of the national economy to benefit from tourism depends on the availability of investment to develop the necessary infrastructure and on its ability to supply the needs of tourists. This is one of the facts you have learnt through this programme I hope and it will be applied accordingly. Once again on behalf of the Emfuleni Local Municipality, I thank all of you for making this graduation cermony a success.

I thank you.