SANTACO – dressing kids for success

One thousand pupils from different primary schools in the Umzinyathi District were donated full school uniforms, courtesy of the South African National Transport Council (SANTACO). The uniforms cost R500 000 in total, with each taxi owner from ten taxi associations in the district contributing R500 for one child in each school in their area.
The Nquthu Pioneer Taxi association clothed the most learners – 550. This ‘Dress A Less Fortunate Schoolchild’ campaign began in Inanda, Durban, years back, and spread out to other taxi associations in the province. This was the first that Umzinyathi participated.
B Zondi, Chairperson of SANTACO KwaZulu-Natal, urged taxi owners and business people to assist where help is needed in their communities. He urged his companions to continue with assisting needy schoolchildren, and further reminded everyone that there should be no child who cannot go to university while there are so many more fortunate people in the country. “We should stop relying on government: we should make a difference ourselves, the government is us. If we can all work together in South Africa we can do more,” he said.
The aim of the campaign was to give back to the community.
Nine associations with their members were present to witness the event, making sure that the children were well dressed in their new school uniforms. The event was blessed with the presence of Umzinyathi Mayor James Mthethwa, Amakhosi and the community at large, at the VA Makhoba Community Hall in Nquthu. Umzinyathi taxi associations and SANTACO forwarded their sincere gratitude to all people who assisted them. “We do not have enough words to explain how grateful and thankful we are for what you did for us: thanks a million!”