“We are trying to get the system to function,” she said.

Motshekga, who described Zuma’s speech as “brilliant”, said that it aimed at unlocking the country’s potential.

She said job creation in the country was important as it motivated learners to study hard.

She pointed out that it was demoralising for many learners to discover that even though they pass, they could not find jobs.

Meanwhile, responding to Zuma’s speech, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Leader Prince Mongosuthu Buthelezi told BuaNews that the President should have said more on education.

He said that the education system was in a crisis and needed to be fixed.