Shongwe adopts troubled school

MBOMBELA – Following on Premier Mr David Mabuza’s footsteps, the MEC for community liaison, safety and security, Mr Vusi Shongwe has adopted the troubled Mahhushu-based Bhekiswako Secondary School.

Shongwe’s decision to adopt this school, where his political boss, Mabuza worked as a teacher during his teaching days, came shortly after Shongwe took some of the school’s learners on a tour to the Barberton Juvenile Prison.

This high school was in the news for all the wrong reasons, hence the decision to take some of the learners on a prison tour, where they had first-hand experience of the prison environment. MEC Shongwe officially made this announcement on Tuesday, when he also donated full school uniforms to three learners identified during the tour.

“Coming from the prison tour, and the plight of the learners that I witnessed on the day deeply touched my heart and I have since shared this situation with the premier.
“I pointed out to him that we had a responsibility to adopt this school, but because he is a busy man, we decided that I should adopt the school on his behalf. Therefore, I am going to look after the school on behalf of government and the premier. I will make sure that from time to time I ask the premier to have programmes at the school to motivate the learners.

“And with his negotiating skills, he will help me get sponsors and donors for the school.
I know we would be able to do this, because the premier has a soft heart when it comes to dealing with matters of the poor.

We have seen him going out of duty to accommodate complete strangers in his house and takes time to listen to their problems. So, in short, we are adopting the school and we will look after the needy learners there,” said Shongwe.

The school principal, Mr Musa Victor Phakathi said, “As a school, I would like to say that we are deeply humbled by the gesture shown by the MEC and his department. Really, the little things that people do in life goes a long way.

“This is a gesture that I am certain it will yield results.”
The department and Shongwe became aware of our school because of challenges we had, but I am happy it has turned out to be a pleasant exercise.
In fact, I am at a loss for words to express our gratitude as a school for what the MEC has done. From now going forward we will become better.”