Early Christmas for rural school

Christmas came early for the 61 learners from Tayside Primary School near Dundee after the Transnet donated shoes during the programme called “Donate a Toughees Campaign held last Tuesday.
According to the statement that was sent to Courier Siyanda Ntenga (27) is an employee of Transnet Engineering in Durban who hails from rural township of Esikhawini in Richardsbay.

Siyanda started his career in 2006 -2008 as a student through Transnet Student Bursary Scheme, after completing his training he got employed and is now working as a Turner Machinist in the Rolling Stock Equipment (RSE) Department.
Siyanda was once in a similar situation when he was young, he used to walk long distances to school with no shoes.? As a way of giving back to the community and in appreciation of the great opportunity he got from Transnet he decided to start his mini project “Donate a Toughees Campaign.?

To date Siyanda has donated 55 pairs of shoes to needy learners out of his own pocket.
He had subsequently approach the management of Transnet Engineering to introduced his concept, which was accepted with open arms and endorsed.? Management & staff had been making donations toward this worthy cause, starting with the CE-Mr Richard Vallihu who personally donated 15 pairs of shoes.?
The company has managed hooked in one of the shoe supplier “Futura Footwear Ltd” base in Pinetown where they have supported the? project by offering Transnet to buy shoes at a great discount rate mainly for this project.
“It gives me pleasure to announce that Transnet Engineering will be handing over 30 pairs of shoes to needy learners of Kwa-zibonele Primary School in Eshowe last Monday. They proceeded to Vryheid rural area where they donate 61 pairs of shoes to Tayside Primary School.? There are also other schools in the pipeline that have been identified to benefit from the project,” said Siyanda.
According to Amanda Khumalo from the Transnet her company is working closely with the Department of Education Directors and they are the ones that are identifying needy schools in their respective areas of jurisdiction. She said teachers as well are also playing a critical role in categorising? these learners within each school.?Khumalo said most of these beneficiaries are coming from poor families that are living below the poverty line, other children are orphans, raised by unemployed single-parents and grandparents.
“Transnet Engineering is a South African Corporate Responsive citizen that takes keen interest in the Upliftment of destitute society especially the youth since they are the future leaders of this country.? Creating an enabling environment will mould these young learners to be better and be responsive citizens of tomorrow.
Transnet is very delighted to have a good exemplary employee like Siyanda whom in this time of limited resources and almost hopeless economics, where general consensus is to take care of oneself. However the exception to this, is a remarkable story of how Siyanda’s and how he has encourage his fellow employees to make a circle bigger. We each have the ability to make a difference wherever we are positioned, all we have to do is be willing, we want to encourage everyone to take a leaf out of Siyanda’s book, be encouraged by his efforts and be the catalyst to the changes around you,” Khumalo added.

The Principal of the school Mr Zondo when interviewed said learners, parents and educators are very happy. He said who coodinated this process was the Umzinyathi Education District Manager, Mr MV Majola who told them to submit the list of learners that are needy. Mr Zondo said he submitted 30 names. He said what surprised him is that the official from Transnet Amanda Khumalo asked him the enrolment and told him that the school has got 61 learners. Zondo said than Amanda said they would donate shoes for the whole kids.
Zonod also mentioned that the school is in a terrible condition, there is no proper toilets, not sufficient water as a result of jojo tank not to have gutters. He mentioned that the school really needs a serious attention.