Herbert Mdingi Adult Learning School gets toilet renovations

Thuso Phecheni, founder and chairperson of Thuso Sports Development Centre gave back to the community of Brixton by renovating toilets at Herbert Mdingi Adult Learning School.

The centre is non-profit organisation aimed at empowering the youth through development of sports and education

The organisation together with students of University of Johannesburg (Abeilles Day House) worked together to uplift the school.

“In 2017, [we] painted the [school] but teachers at the school have not had toilets to use, using [the toilets in] Brixton shopping complex rather. “None of the toilets at the school were working,” said Phecheni.

The school currently has 450 learners registered to complete their Grade 12. Many of the learners are school dropouts, while some where expelled from school for bad behaviour. Others have been in drug rehabilitation while others have been in prison. The school also has a child day care which has 120 children.

Phecheni is originally from Pampierstad in the Northern Cape. He is passionate about youth development and formed the organisation to help empower youth through sport and education, and also community development at large. His organisation is based in Taung, North West, and has more than 200 children participating through different sporting codes.

“I formed the organisation after realising many kids, especially in the rural area where I originate, were not being exposed [to sport]. There are also no municipal sporting grounds. Many schools were also fencing their school yards off including sporting grounds, making it difficult for the youth to participate in sports. As a result, many would then be forced to walk the streets and find entertainment in taverns while also turning to alcohol and drug abuse.”

The school in Brixton is also used by members of the community for important community meetings and other events.

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