The donation was made possible by the chief of police for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Bafana Mahlabe, and his wife, Lebohang.
Mahlabe says the generous donation is a form of ploughing back into the community of Duduza and the school he once attended as a young boy.
“Giving is a very important factor in our lives, as Christians we wanted to minister the art of giving to those who are less privileged,” he explains.
“More especially because I know the feeling of needing something and not being able to afford it, merely because of lack of finance, and, more importantly, to promote Ubuntu to our younger generation.”
The couple donated bags because they felt that there are far too many learners walking into school gates without schools bags; some even carrying their books in plastic bags.
“Schools receive donations in the form of uniforms and school shoes, so we wanted to add on and give learners school bags, which are also important in their academic careers,” adds Lebohang.
Bertha Mpye, the co-ordinator of the project, says she is overwhelmed by the generous donation from the Mahlabes, because far too many learners at the school don’t have school bags.
“I’m very thankful that Mahlabe and his wife put smiles on the faces of our learners today,” she adds.
School principal Cynthia Moerane adds that it’s a blessing that God touched Mahlabe’s heart so that learners in the school may benefit and also feel loved and remembered by prominent people in the community.
