EFF PUTS A SMILE ON SIKHANYISELE LEARNERS IN MAMELODI

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By Dimakatso Modipa

EFF Provincial and Tshwane members donating school shoes, stationery to the learners at Sikhanyisile primary school in Mamelodi east, Tshwane photo by Dimakatso Modipa
EFF Provincial and Tshwane members donating school shoes, stationery to the learners at Sikhanyisile primary school in Mamelodi east, Tshwane photo by Dimakatso Modipa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) put a smile on the faces of needy learners at Sikhanyisele Primary School in Mamelodi East on Thursday.

This they achieved by donating school shoes, uniforms and school bags.

EFF Member of the Gauteng Legislature Phillip Makwala told Tshwane Talks that they came to Sikhanyisele Primary as part of the party’s back to school campaign not to tackle admission issues, but to attend to the challenges of needy learners, who in some cases come to school barefooted, or wearing sneakers, or flip-flops.

“We engaged with the leadership of the EFF in Mamelodi to contact the school regarding all the logistics that would be needed so that we can help out,” he said.

“The actual number of beneficiaries was supposed to be 36 learners but upon our arrival we added several pairs of school shoes, dusters, erasers, pencils, chalks and school bags because all these items will restore their dignity and they will pursue their studies without hindrance,” said Makwala.

“We want to inspire them now to take their education seriously and stay away from the streets because those who chose street life and abandoned their schools in the past are regretting the very fact and want to come back, but it is too late for them now,” warned Makwala.

He stressed that he doesn’t want to see a repeat of a situation whereby learners were allowed to roam the streets while ignoring their education, because they will suffer the consequences thereof.

According to Tshwane EFF Sub-Region 5 leader in Mamelodi Bongani King Ramontja, the reason for the donation is based on the fact that they as the EFF believe that the only way to truly empower a black child is through education and they therefore give learners the necessary support and persuade them to study.

“With these donations we are demonstrating our number one priority, which is to see learners attending school and we are therefore excited to see them being happy upon receiving our donations.” said Ramontja.

“We realised that many of the learners here lack school shoes, and we therefore made an effort to help them in this regard, because they are from disadvantaged backgrounds and as advocates of the marginalised groups in the community we must intervene,” he said.

“I am happy that we not only managed to help one learner, but we actually managed to help 36 kids with school shoes, uniforms and school bags,” said Ramontja.

He indicated that there were still several outstanding challenges at Sikhanyisele which they as the EFF will address in due course.

He pointed out that it is in the nature of learners to diss those among them who are needy, and so by equipping the needy learners with the necessary school items, they will come to school with confidence, concentrate fully on their studies and become better future citizens who will improve their own lives, those of their parents as well as the environment they live in.

Sikhanyisele Primary School acting principal Makhosonke Nxumalo expressed his heartfelt gratification regarding the donations handed out by members of the EFF.

He pointed out that the school is a no-fee-paying institution and as result the school lacks many basic necessities.

“We have 370 learners here, 188 girls and 132 boys and many of them are orphans while others have parents who are unemployed, they eat breakfast and lunch here at the school and when the schools are closed, I get worried because they will have to struggle to get something to eat at their respective homes,” he said.

An SFB Representative told Tshwane Talks that they find themselves in a situation they can’t do anything about due to the disadvantaged background that many learners at the school come from.

Be that as it may, he thanked EFF members profusely for the goodies that they brought to the school.

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