Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni photo by Dimakatso Modipa
Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, accompanied by senior police officials, donated sports equipment to the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School Mamelodi East, Tshwane on Wednesday.
The visit forms part of a broader initiative by the South African Police Service to promote youth development and foster stronger ties between law enforcement and communities.
“I must confirm that I’m a resident of Mamelodi.
I hope to be someone who inspires you to put effort into your studies.
Solomon mahlangu secondary school learners
I’m impressed with previous matric rates,” he said.
He hoped that the school would improve the pass rate to 95%.
He said they are giving back to the community of Mamelodi.
The police donated chess board and equipment.
“We hope the equipment will assist and form part of your results improvement.
The South Africa Chinese community and police co-operation centre Tshwane district donated
some of 9 printers, types, white board markers, 2 water dispenser, 20 boxes of 72 pages, 1 wheelchair, and also donated chess board
This programme is aimed to assist schools proactively to keep pupils occupied with sporting activities, especially chess.
It’s keeps away from criminal activities,” he said.
Mthombeni said that it’s good for kids to do gambling because you will end up fighting.
“Chess teaches us to set up goals and importance of planning.
It teaches us that every decision we take there will be consequences for the future,” said Mthombeni.
Chess board donated by SAPS
He said this was one of the learning equipment.
The South Africa Chinese community and police co-operation centre Tshwane district donated 9 printers, types, white board markers, 2 water dispenser, 20 boxes of 72 pages, 1 wheelchair, and also donated chess board.
In response, Ward 18 Councillor Vusi Toffee Masemola told Tshwane Talks that Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni’s kind gesture is inspiring and an indication of the fact that education is valued in his Ward.
“Last week we were at Ribane Laka Secondary School and today we are at Solomon Mahlangu Freedom (SOMAFCO) Secondary School,” enthused Masemola.
“Today we are also celebrating the name Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School, which is derived from a Tanzanian college established by the ANC while still in exile and named after the late struggle hero and ANC operative Solomon Mahlangu who was hanged by the apartheid regime in 1979,” he said.
“We want SOMAFCO to look like the newly-refurbished Ribane Laka and if you look carefully you will notice that we have a plethora of schools in Ward 18 like Nwavhangani, SOMAFCO, Boikgantsho, Ribane Laka, Sikhanyisele and Shomishanang,” he said.
Masemola revealed that he has engaged the Gauteng Provincial Education MEC Matome Chiloane with the aim of reopening the now-derelict Shomishanang Primary as a Secondary School this year to cater for Ribane Laka Secondary School who do not study Maths and Science.
“Shomishanang will be renamed Mamelodi East Secondary School,” said Masemola.
He revealed that there are challenges like bullying and drugs and expressed his wish that there would be a programme which would assist learners regarding the scourge of drugs, bullying and the carrying of weapons at schools.
“We want learners to come to school and focus on their education only and nothing else,” he said.
He thanked Ford Motor Company and Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) for having adopted various schools in Mamelodi.
He revealed that the Chinese community is committed to donating goodies to not only SOMAFCO but also to Modiri Secondary School.