Octavia Edom, part of the 1989 Grade Eight class, said as former students, they are donating school uniforms to ensure learners from underprivileged families don’t become discouraged from going to school.
“Most of the time, learners who don’t have proper school uniforms are reluctant to come to school, so, with these uniforms, we are trying to stop that from happening. We believe that if learners have proper school uniforms, they will also have pride in doing their school work,” Octavia expressed.
She said they raised the money to buy new uniforms by selling some of their possessions.
“We also managed to host fundraisers and sold food. Our primary aim is to ensure all the learners at our former school are proud of being there. We will return to donate and have already adopted the school, and our relationship with the school won’t end today,” she explained.
Tshepo Mokoena, part of the donating team, said he is a former learner of the school, and back when he was still at the school, he wore his uniform with pride.
“Learners who always wear their uniforms neatly will undoubtedly take their education seriously. Those learners always enjoy being at school, and, as of today, when all of you get these new uniforms, make sure you wear them with pride.
“Don’t take being at school for granted, and always respect the teachers in front of you because those are the same teachers who taught us, and we are better people today because of them.
“I know you might not understand what I’m saying today, but in over a decade, you will, but, in my honest opinion, I expect you learners to take what I’m saying to you seriously,” Mokoena stated.
He elaborated, saying learners must make their books their friends.
Zinzi Miya, a former learner at the school and part of the 1989 Grade Eight class, mentioned there are two “Bs” girl learners must pay attention to.
“The first ‘B’ is for books, and the other ‘B’ is for boys, so I advise girl learners to love the ‘B’ for books because that’s the ’B’ currently important for them,” Miya uttered.
The principal of Erasmus Monareng Secondary School, Sharon Mabuya, said what the former learners did for the school is priceless.
“When we taught all of you more than 20 years ago, we didn’t expect you to return and plough back to the school. What you have done for us today is special. You brought back pride in our learners. I sincerely thank all of you,” Mabuya concluded.
