Shova Kalula rolls out 122 bicycles to empower learners

MOOIPLAAS – The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Education, hosted the Shova Kalula programme in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality (CALM) last Thursday.

The initiative supports learners from rural communities who cannot afford transport to school.

By providing bicycles as an alternative mode of transport, the programme helps to address challenges such as unreliable, costly, and poorly co-ordinated transport services. This ensures that learners do not miss school due to a lack of transport.

Learners who live more than three kilometres from school, but do not qualify for scholar transport, were provided with Shova Kalula bicycles to ensure they can travel safely and arrive on time.

A total of 122 bicycles were donated to four local schools under this programme:
• Chief Jerry Nkosi Secondary School – 50 bicycles
• Ebuhleni Primary School – 34 bicycles
• Inkaba Primary School – 11 bicycles
• Father Charles Primary School – 27 bicycles

The executive mayor of CALM, Cllr Mbuso Petros Magubane, commended the partnership between the two departments and expressed his appreciation for the initiative.

Chief Jerry Nkosi Secondary School achieved an 86.2% pass rate in the 2024 matric exams, which Magubane attributed to the school’s dedication and passion.

He added that he hopes the Shova Kalula project will further motivate learners and contribute to continued academic excellence.

The MEC for public works, roads and transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, announced that beneficiaries would receive training from the department on how to ride the bicycles safely and observe road rules.

The MEC for education, Lindi Masina, urged the recipients to take good care of the bicycles, emphasising that they should use them responsibly and productively to support their education.