Katlehong School’s desperate call for chairs answered

Thutopele Secondary School received at least 415 of the much-needed chairs for learners following calls to local businesses for assistance.

Sontonga Mall handed over 315 chairs, while Special Furniture and Builders Choice HardWare each donated 50 chairs respectively.

The school had a shortage of chairs, which was realised when the Department of Education announced the return of all learners to school after learners attended rotational classes throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the chairperson of the school governing body, Moses Nzimande, they were very desperate.

“Remember that due to Covid, the school was not operating at full capacity. So when the school was allowed to be fully operational, we had a serious lack of chairs and also we lack financial resources to meet the need,” said Nzimande.

He said when the learners all returned the school was running short of about 600 chairs.

“We are very grateful for this good gesture of assisting the school and we will ensure that we cement this relationship for the benefit of our school and the benefit of learners and parents.”

When asked how the school managed since the school fully opened, Nzimande said they struggled a lot.

“With the principal’s networking, we managed to get some chairs from other schools like Dinwiddie High.”

Sontonga Mall manager Anne Dire said they felt the need to give back when they were approached by the school, stemming from their relationship with the facility.

“Our relationship with the school means a lot because the children that attend the school are the same ones who support the mall.

“I can just imagine if a child does not have a chair at school, for us it was something we really had to look into. I was excited to approach my company about this and immediately they said there is no way we can reject such a need,” said Dire.

Special Furniture is located at Sontonga Road. The shop shares the same premises with the school, with the founder Qaisek Rizwan saying he has been operating his business there for a long time and has formed a relationship with the school.

“The school asked for chairs and I was able to assist, this is not the first time I help the school sometimes they come to request donations and sometimes I offer donations.”

Rizwan said his business took a knock twice during the xenophobic attacks and the looting, however, he is not one to hold grudges.

“I lost a lot of money what I worked for the past seven years, but when people need assistance I help them.”

Founder of Builders Choice HardWare Rana Zahid said whenever the school needs something they try to meet them halfway.

“I believe these are my children. If I have four children and I provide a better life for them, I believe that I should do the same with other children and try to provide a better life for them as well,” said Zahid.

Nzimande said the good deeds by local businesses indicate that they are in this country for a good purpose.

“They are here to assist and help in addressing social-economic challenges faced by the disadvantaged. So we ensure that we work with them at all cost and also assist them in case maybe there are challenges for them.”

Accounting teacher Makgati Mohlala said the shortage really had a negative impact on the teaching and learning process.

“Once it was announced that all learners should come back to school we did not have enough chairs for every learner.

“What was decided by management is that we can have all the grades can come back to school daily, but the Grade Nine classes must rotate.

She said ultimately teachers would have a backlog of work that they still need to teach the learners.

“With the higher grade, we did manage to cover everything regarding the syllabus.

“The younger learners did get affected because they were not coming to school every day, for them it was still the same thing that happened when we were still under strict lockdown.”

She said they support the shops at the mall and they are grateful for their assistance.

Kathorus MAIL also engaged with community members and parents to get their thought on the gesture towards the school by the local businesses.

A resident Xolani Khumalo said it is great that businesses help the community, more so the children from disadvantaged families, with things like school uniforms and shoes.

“We support these businesses so it is great that they also give back,” said Khumalo.

Another nearby resident Rodrick Mnoamadi shared the same sentiments, saying this is a positive collaboration between business and schools.

Oratile Kgaphola, a Grade 12 learner, told Kathorus MAIL having chairs makes all the difference as they had to share classes with other grades.

“Right now we can all study without any distraction or discomfort,” said Kgaphola.

Oratile’s mother Evelin Kgaphola noted that the donation will help teachers and learners to continue with lessons.