The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, kick-started the 2023 academic year in a kind-hearted mood when she handed out 450 school uniforms as well as 200 dignity packs to scores of learners at Izanokhanyo Primary School in Simunye.
This was on January 12 during government’s Bana Pele programme where numerous schools were visited in an effort to provide school uniforms to vulnerable children.
Also read: School uniforms: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Accompanied by community leaders, government officials and parents, MEC Hlophe also took the opportunity to address the learners of the school about the importance of education.
“We are here to invest in your future. Do not let your parents down because some of the parents are working very hard to ensure they fend for you. You must make use of the opportunity afforded to you. If you waste time, you will realise when you are grown person that you wasted a lot. With education you can become very successful. I would also like to encourage you to consider following careers in the agricultural sector and never underestimate that.
Also read: Uniforms, dignity packs totalling 100 donated to Westonaria Primary
“According to Forbes, the next billionaires will come from agriculture. Please also learn to keep the environment clean. Please respect your teachers so that you become successful in life and comeback to the school to remind them about the good they have done,” said Hlophe.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development aims to distribute about 5 000 school uniform packs in total during the school readiness campaign.
The school uniforms are manufactured by sewing cooperatives preferably within the locality of the targeted schools. A majority of those cooperatives are owned by women.
