EMM donates uniforms to needy pupils

The Ekurhuleni Metroplitan Municipality, in partnership with the Imbumba Foundation, donated school uniforms to 20 pupils coming from child-headed families.

The donation was made at the Winnie Mandela Secondary School on Friday last week.

With the aim of restoring dignity and reducing the high rate of absenteeism in schools, the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mondli Gungubele, also gave out 700 sanitary pads to disadvantaged girls.

The mayor was accompanied by the MMC for the Department of Transport, Clr Thumbu Mahlangu.

Clr Gungubele said the problem they are faced with in schools, is not the shortage of learning resources or school’s syllabus, but the ever-changing environment pupils are exposed to in everyday life.

“We are going to work closely with the school to improve the conditions with the view to make the school an environment conducive for pupils and teaching. We are going to help them as far as we can,” he said.

During his visit, Clr Gungubele said Winnie Mandela Secondary School is the best school with regards to it being kept clean and having order and discipline.

“It starts with discipline for a child to become a better person. From being disciplined, you become humble, you listen to and respect elders. I am not talking about those corrupt elders who take advantage of young people. I am encouraging girls to stay away from sugar-daddies as they are dangerous. They are only there to waste your time and destroy your future,” he said.

He urged the pupils to stay humble so that they can win people’s trust.

The mayor, under the theme “my Education my Future” has adopted Winnie Mandela Secondary School.

“We want to be a part of the school and we will keep on doing the little we can,” he said.

One of the pupils, Tebogo Maphalla (16) who is in grade 9, said she was grateful for the donation. “I did not have a school uniform at all. It means a lot to me and it gives me courage to come to school. I use to come to school with the uniform from another school,” she said.

Meanwhile, school principal Mr Eddy Kekana thanked the mayor for adopting his school. “We hope to achieve and acquire all the things we need through this relationship. We are extremely delighted for the donation. Most of our pupils come from poor backgrounds and some are orphans. This donation makes a big impact to their lives,” he said.