New play area donation excites Cliffdale Grade Rs

THE fourth term got off to a great start for the Grade R learners attending Umthombomuhle School in Cliffdale near Hammarsdale as they now have a new play area, provided by funds raised by the Foresyte Shows and Langley Equestrian Centre.

The handover, which took place on Tuesday, 24 October, was attended by a number of sponsors.

Grant Langley of Foresyte Shows and Langley Equestrian Centre, said Foresyte Shows and Langley Equestrian Centre, along with sponsors, really wanted to assist the youth from the local community and Umthombomuhle School seemed like the perfect choice.

“A number of staff from the centre send their children to the school and it is a really high performing educational centre, with friendly, dedicated staff. Unfortunately, it is lacking in a few facilities, which is why we stepped in,” said Langley.

On a visit to Umthombomuhle School, Langley noticed that there was no safe play area for the younger children. A decision was then made to create a play area which included a jungle gym and swing set suited to the Grade R age group.

People also donated books, toys and puzzles for the classroom.

School principal, Aubrey Sibonelo Khumalo, said the staff and children were grateful for the donation which would be used by 97 learners in Grade R, aged between four and five years.

“We really appreciate this donation because young children need to learn and develop through play activities,” said Khumalo.

He said the 97 Grade R children use only one classroom, so this playing area will make a huge difference.

The school has an enrolment of 970 learners from Grade R to Grade 9 with from 70 to 115 learners in one classroom at a time.

Situated within an expanding community, there is a massive drive for parents to enrol their children in the school.

Unfortunately, there are no sports facilities available, no laboratories or library and a dire shortage of classrooms.

“There are also only seven toilets available for all 970 learners.

Umthombomuhle is a no-fee paying school which means most of the children attending come from disadvantaged backgrounds and, for many, the unveiling of the school playground equipment will be their first glimpse of such items.

Khumalo thanked all the sponsors involved.

If anyone can assist the school with further donations, contact Aubrey Khumalo on 083 738 8905 or khumalosibonelo@gmail.com.