Mayor of Nquthu, Emily Molefe, has again extended her hand to needy children in the Nquthu area.
Over R629 000 was spent on assisting 175 deserving students from the area with registration fees to study at various tertiary institutions.
The Municipal Registration Fee Programme started in 2011, and since then 417 students have benefited from funds of over R2,5-million.
“The municipality is assisting students with completing their registration, and with career guidance,” said municipal spokesman Thokozani Nyandeni. “The mayor once again aims to increase the number of beneficiaries in the 2014/2015 financial year, and needy students are encouraged to apply.”
Apart from the Municipal Registration Fee Programme, the municipality assisted 102 students from 17 schools around Nquthu with school uniforms. Last year, 66 students received uniforms.
The mayor started this drive at Fanelesibonge High School in Qhudeni, in the most deprived and rural area of Nquthu. She was impressed that the school achieved a Matric pass rate of 80%, and that their teenage pregnancy rate is relatively low.
Other schools visited were Msimbu High School in Ward 2, Scelimfundo High School in Ward 3, Jama High School in Ward 4, Mhayise High School in Ward 5, Ithaka Primary School in Ward 6, Hlubi High School in Ward 7, Maholela School in Ward 8, Bongumenzi School in Ward 9, Phakathwayo School in Ward 10, Dlamadoda School in Ward 11, Jabavu School in Ward 12, Nhlalakahle School in Ward 13, Isibanini School in Ward 14, Mathukulula School in Ward 15, Ibrahim School in Ward 16 and Ndlangamandla School in Ward 17.
She also donated boxes of sanitary towels to each school. When expanding on the purpose of this programme, Mayor Molefe says that she wishes to promote equality among the residents of Nquthu on all levels, and added that Nquthu also has a lot to offer and celebrate in terms of service delivery.