A former Benoni High School parent expressed disappointment after his donation to the school’s athletics team was allegedly returned without explanation.

Ntjie Segooa, whose child was in matric in 2024, said the school posted a message on a parents’ group appealing for sponsorship of T-shirts for its Top 30 athletics team.

Segooa responded to the call and pledged to sponsor the team. He donated 36 T-shirts and 36 vests in the school’s colours, bearing its emblem.

He said the back of the T-shirts featured the names of his two companies.

However, he claims he never saw the team wear the sponsored attire at events or in photographs.

“I didn’t see the athletics team wear the T-shirts anywhere. Concerned, I went to the school on January 27 to enquire why the items had not been used. Upon arrival, I was informed that the sports teacher was busy. I said I’d wait for him.”

While waiting, Segooa was surprised to see a learner approach him carrying a box.

“He said ‘They’ told him to give it to me.”

The box contained the donated T-shirts and vests.
Segooa said he was confused and disappointed that nobody personally addressed him regarding the matter.

“I felt disrespected and not seen. They could have brought the T-shirts back to me and explained that they no longer needed them, rather than sending a child to give them to me with no explanation,” Segooa explained.

Responding to Segoa’s accusations, the school’s head of sport, Edoardo Conradie, said, “The gentleman came in 2024 and sponsored our Top 30 athletes with T-shirts. But the 2024 Top 30 competition had already finished when he made the donation. I explained that to him. He’s not telling the truth when he says there was no explanation.

“The head of athletics, Berita Olivier, and I thanked him for the donation, but we explained to him that it might be late.

“Also, the design wasn’t approved by the school. The yellow on the shirts didn’t all look the same. It couldn’t have been approved by the principal. There’s also a massive 2024 on the back. So, we can’t use it in 2026.”

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