Police constable with a heart of gold

The boy, Harmans Tebele Modiboa beamed and smiled broadly when he saw Const. Moeketsi Mosiane park the police van to take him to school on Tuesday morning. He was already dressed, looking neat in his school uniform and ready to join millions of Gr. 1s around the country who started school last Wednesday.

Tebele, who will be turning nine in May is now a proud learner of Keotshepile Primary School.

Const. Kelebogile Trom, spokesperson of Ikageng SAPS says they found out about the plight of the young lad last year. They had both noticed his 13-year-old brother park his broken bicycle at the Ikageng police station every morning last year and catch a bus to Bert’s Bricks Primary school. ‘The boy was so determined. His uniform was worn out and his old bicycle was breaking down but he parked it with a smile. We were intrigued by this boy who said he enjoyed going to school because that’s the only place where he’s able to get a hot plate of food for the day. We wanted to meet his family and see his living conditions,’ says Trom.

When the two met the family, they encountered a family of fifteen living in abject poverty and sharing a four-roomed RDP house. The situation was made worse by the fact that there was no income and none of the family members or children had identity documents or birth certificates.

Mosiane says this touched him and he felt he had to do something to assist the family, especially the boy who did not go to school.

He approached the principal of Keotshepile, Ms Rejoice Moeketsi, who promised to get back to him in January this year. ‘This year, the principal informed me that there is space available for the boy,’ he said.

Trom says the Ikageng SAPS members were able to donate a school uniform to the boy. ‘We managed to buy a shirt, trousers, socks and a pair of shoes.’

When the Herald accompanied the SAPS and the boy to school, the Gr. 1 learner was impatient to go to his class. Before getting there, the principal warmly welcomed him and offered him words of motivation. ‘You must attend school regularly and concentrate on your books. Please do not disappoint Const. Mosiane because he cares about you and your future.’

Const. Mosiane says he will continue to go the extra mile and ensure that the Modiboa family members have IDs and birth certificates. However, in the meantime, he is appealing to the community of greater Potchefstroom to assist the Gr. 1 learner with another uniform.

Const. Trom says the boy has only one set of school clothes which has to be washed every day. ‘We welcome any donations including a school bag for the boy to continue going to school and, one day, complete his Gr. 12 and study further,’ she said. ‘He never thought he would ever attend school in his life.’

Anyone who is willing to contribute should contact Const. Kelebogile Trom on 082 374 0271.