WATCH: Ezibeleni School for Physically Disabled receives R207k donation from Magotteaux Grinding Media South Africa
The R207 000 boost will go towards wheelchairs, communication devices and learning tools for learners with severe disabilities at Ezibeleni School for Physically Disabled.
Ezibeleni School for the Physically Disabled in Katlehong received a significant donation.
Magotteaux Grinding Media South Africa donated R207 000 to the institution during a handover ceremony held at the school on May 27.
The event was attended by parents, School Governing Body (SGB) members, educators, and a representative from the Office of the MEC for Education.
@albertonrecord Ezibeleni School for the Physically Disabled in Katlehong received a significant donation. Magotteaux Grinding Media South Africa donated R207 000 to the institution during a handover ceremony held at the school on May 27. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
The donation will go towards supporting learners with severe and multiple disabilities, many of whom rely on specialised assistive devices, transport, and medical support to access education.
‘This is not an ordinary school’ – Principal Mendy
Principal Mendy Welcome said Ezibeleni is a highly specialised institution that operates with a wide range of professional support services, rather than a standard school setup.
“We’ve got physiotherapists, a professional nursing sister on site, a social worker, occupational therapists, and specialists in music who are all qualified to assist our learners,” he said.
@albertonrecord Principal Mendy Welcome said Ezibeleni is a highly specialised institution that operates with a wide range of professional support services, rather than a standard school setup. “We’ve got physiotherapists, a professional nursing sister on site, a social worker, occupational therapists, and specialists in music who are all qualified to assist our learners,” he said. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
Welcome explained that the school has a structured staffing system, including house mothers and house fathers at the hostel, educators, and specialists supporting learners throughout the day.
“There are learners who go home daily. We transport about 191 learners back home every day. So, we are just as busy as the nature of our children,” he said.
He added that the school is in an area frequently affected by crime.
“We shared with the team that the level of crime is an issue, but we are proud to say we have now gone six months without any burglary,” he said.
Security challenges and growing support
Welcome said the school experienced repeated break-ins shortly after his appointment, including the theft of office equipment.
However, he noted that community involvement and SGB support have strengthened security and improved stability.
“The SGB is here every Saturday, Sunday, day and night. I told them I don’t have a child here, but they do, so they must come and work,” he said.
@albertonrecord The donation will go towards supporting learners with severe and multiple disabilities, many of whom rely on specialised assistive devices, transport, and medical support to access education. Full story albertonrecord.co.za
Despite early setbacks, Welcome said the school has continued to attract external support, including sponsorships for infrastructure upgrades such as a computer gateway project and a planned solar installation by FNB.
Assistive devices critical but costly
A major focus of the donation is the high cost of assistive devices required by learners with different levels of disability.
Welcome explained that not all wheelchairs are the same, as learners often require specialised equipment based on their individual conditions, including progressive disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
“You don’t invite disability. Some children start walking, and then later lose mobility. So, we must adapt continuously,” he said.
He added that some learners require motorised wheelchairs, while others need custom seating systems to reduce pain and prevent further medical complications.
The school also provides communication assistive devices for learners who are non-verbal.
“One communication device alone costs about R13 000, and the software is around R7 000. For one child, the total can reach about R28 000,” he said.
Welcome, said the Department of Education, but the allocation per learner is often not enough to cover these needs.
@albertonrecord Music educator, international jazz star and blind musician, Yonela Monana Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“The current allocation per child is about R1 400. If we depended only on that, it would take years to meet one child’s needs,” he said.
Sponsor acknowledges scale of need
Magotteaux Grinding Media South Africa representative Maqhalo Kona said the company underestimated the extent of need at the school.
“As an organisation, I think we underestimated the need for this particular school. We might have contributed only a drop in the ocean considering the challenges, but we promise to do more going forward and support the school in a more meaningful way,” he said.
Kona added that the company was impressed by the staff’s dedication and the structured environment despite the challenges.
The R207 000 donation will support the procurement of specialised wheelchairs, communication devices, laptops, and assistive software for learners.
According to the school, the allocation includes 14 specialised wheelchairs, four of which are motorised; three adjusted seating wheelchairs, and additional assistive tools such as communication devices and laptops.
Welcome said the donation, which represents more than just equipment.
“You have not only given these children wheelchairs or devices, but you have given them dignity,” he said.
‘We’ve seen beyond disability’
Welcome expressed gratitude to the sponsor for supporting learners with complex needs.
“We don’t have much that we can offer, but we know we’ve seen beyond disability. Thank you for believing in our children who cannot speak, walk, or talk today,” he said.
He added that assistive technology plays an important role in restoring dignity and enabling communication.
@albertonrecord The event was attended by parents, School Governing Body (SGB) members, educators, and a representative from the Office of the MEC for Education. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“These devices give children a voice, mobility, and dignity, which is a constitutional right in South Africa,” he said.
Kona said Magotteaux Grinding Media South Africa intends to maintain and expand its support for the school in future.
“We would like to continue this partnership in a more meaningful and progressive way,” he said.
