The Gauteng Department of Social Development and the South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) visited Mayibuye Primary School in Midrand on 7 March as part of the Bana Pele campaign under the Social Relief of Distress programme.
Both children and parents were invited to the hand-out ceremony where children received a full set of uniforms
Children also received school bags and a dignity pack including face towels, sanitary towels, roll-on deodorant, body lotions, petroleum jelly and much more.
About 200 uniforms were given out to boys and girls at the school.
Gauteng Social Development MEC, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said department representatives coordinated school visits in different areas to identify children in need.
“Some of the children’s homes were visited to assess their living conditions and levels of poverty and affordability.”
The programme was started by the Department of Social Development in 2006 and partnered with Sassa during last year.
“The programme will be rolled out for the next three years and the target is to ensure that one million children receive dignity packs.
“The department has a R46-million budget allocated for the programme and we are encouraging the community to report all children who are struggling to meet the basic needs of a pupil to any social development or Sassa offices.”
Both parents and children were excited and grateful for all the packages they received.
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