Ballito and Salt Rock businesses rally to feed hungry Sizani pupils

The business community rallied in support of pupils at Salt Rock’s Sizani Combined School who went without their normally government-supplied daily meal last week.

About 5 400 schools across the province, including more than 420 schools in iLembe, did not receive meals last week because of logistical challenges experienced by the national schools nutrition programme (NSNP).

The scheme is overseen by the provincial education department.

Sizani Combined School principal, Ntombenhle July, said they were beyond relieved when businesses came to their aid. “We made the announcement in assembly when the school opened, and many pupils were saddened as for some this is their only meal for the day,” July said.

Local ward councillor Privi Makhan, who made a plea on the school’s behalf, said many pupils come from child-headed homes.

Food donations were received last Friday from National Debt Councillors, Tiffany’s Shopping Centre, Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association and Food Lover’s Ballito. On Monday a donation of daily meals came from Mozambik Ballito.

“There is no greater truth than the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. The failure by the department to roll out the school nutrition programme into the new term has left children in many schools starving,” Makhan said.

Mozambik’s donation would be delivered daily for a week, providing meals for 859 pupils.

“When government fails, it’s always local businesses and communities that step up,” said Makhan, extending her gratitude to the donors.

Principal July said she had heard of schools across the district sending pupils home because they were unable to feed them.

Democratic Alliance KZN Education spokesperson Dr Imran Keeka, said his party had been given an assurance by the provincial MEC for education, Mbali Frazer, that the vast majority of districts across the province would have supplies restored by the end of the day on Monday.

Sizani Combined did receive some supplies on Monday, but not enough to meet the need.

“The assurance comes with the possible exception of Ugu, where the NSNP was expected to be restored by the end of the business day on Tuesday,” said Dr Keeka.
Frazer referred to the failure to provide meals as a ‘glitch’.

“It was with shock and regret that the department discovered there were logistical challenges on the part of the main service provider. This unfortunate situation currently faced by schools, communities and service providers is deeply regretted,” she said.

Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news

Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0