Police donate school shoes
Katlehong North SAPS gave away more than 100 pairs of new school shoes to needy learners at Tshabalala Primary School in Katlehong.
The handover ceremony took place on July 26 on the school premises.
Cst Mkhwane Pulane, who is behind the initiative, said the aim of the ceremony was to celebrate the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela.
“This started after we visited different schools, teaching learners about the effects of substance abuse. Out of 24 schools we visited, we realised that this school needs special attention since learners come from disadvantaged families,” said Pulane.
She said they realise the families get a government grant.
“But the grant can only put food on the table. Some of them depend on feeding schemes,” said Pulane.
She added that the donation of school shoes to the school would never be possible if it was not for the help of the local companies.
School principal Sifiso Ngobese said the new shoes will change the lives of the learners.
“What you did here today will help learners a lot. Their self-esteem will be boosted and as a result of that their self-confidence will be high. If their self-confidence is high they will perform miracles in the classroom,” said Ngobese.
He said most of the learners come from poor backgrounds.
“They come from the informal settlements. Some of them look after their siblings. Some of their parents died of AIDS-related diseases. Some of them only get their meals here at school, once per day, through a school feeding scheme,” said Ngobese.
“Nelson Mandela said ‘education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world’. You came to confirm that,” Ngobese said to the police.
He said that the school needs more donations.
Pastor Dudu Mthembu of Endless Hope Bible Church, in Alberton, encouraged the learners to make good use of the opportunity to learn.
“Make good use of education. If you take it seriously, it will change your background,” said Mthembu.
Refiloe Mungisa, who spoke on behalf of the parents, said it was the first time the school had an event like this.
“It is the first time we have good samaritans shower our learners with such beautiful gifts,” said Mungisa.
Pulane thanked the following local companies for their donations:
*Mbali Industrial Solutions (owned by Sipho Radebe).
*Eskhaleni (donated shoes).
*Hurricane Tavern (donated shoes).
*Skip GP (gave a motivational talk).
*Katlehong North SAPS (donated shoes).
*Sgt Phuti Ramara from Germiston Flyng Squad (personally donated school jackets).
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