Imbabazane Local Municipality has a special program driven by Mayor Phindile Strydom to empower school-going youth and prepare them for the world that awaits them.
This program emanated from the 67 minutes done every year in honour of the role played by our former head of state Dr Nelson Mandela.
The Mayor hoped to do things differently in the quest to build future leaders. Apart from cleaning yards and painting walls, she felt a need to capacitate students hence, the concept “Cleaning up the mind” was born.
This program has been going on for two years and schools are the beneficiaries. Khandimfundo Secondary School and Good Home High School were the focal areas in the month of July 2015. Imbabazane Local Municipality together with the Oxford University Press visited the two schools on July 28 and 29. The purpose was to clean up the minds of the learners that are in matric and prepare them, not only for the final exam, but also for the future that lies ahead.
The Mayor was able to source a book sponsorship for both Khandimfundo and Good Home High schools. On July 28 Mrs Strydom delegated a team to visit Khandimfundo Secondary School led by the Speaker of the council, Mr MA Mkhize.
This is a continuation of her intervention programs that seek to improve the pass rate in the school. Among people in attendance were Ward six Councillor WG Mlotshwa, Dr ATM Gwala (Internal Auditor – Imbabazane Local Municipality) and Mr M Mshengu Provincial Sales Manager (Oxford University Press).
The Speaker addressed grade 12 learners about the importance of the Freedom Charter and quoted clause number 08 that says: “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all”. Mr Mshengu from Oxford University Press said that learners should consider studying agriculture when furthering their studies at university level. He added that learners must try to study those courses that are scarce.
He also gave maths, geography, physical science and history text books to the learners of Khandimfudo. Good Home High School hosted the team led by the Mayor of Imbabazane Local Municipality on July 29. Mr M Mnguni the Head of School together with grade 12 teachers were jubilant to be visited by Mrs Strydom, Ward four Cllr SJ Nhlabathi, Mr M Mshengu from Oxford University Press and Mr S Sthebe the Special Programmes Manager at Imbabazane.
Good Home High School defied all odds last year by obtaining a 100 percent pass in the grade 12 results. Mrs Strydom gave words of wisdom to both educators and learners. Her opening statement hinted at the importance of learners to set their short term and long term goals and the wisdom to know the difference. She stressed that determination to achieve their goals is key. She congratulated the head of school and educators for the wonderful work done last year and pleaded with them to continue and add to the quality this year. The mayor condemned teenage pregnancies and reminded learners that HIV/Aids still aborts young people’s dreams, if they engage in unsafe sex.
While acknowledging the conditions under which these learners study both at school and in their home, she was quoted as saying: “Every child can learn.” She also encouraged learners to apply to the university, study and come back and make a change in the community of Imbabazane Local Municipality. She also quoted words from the former SA head of state Dr Mandela: “Education is the only weapon which we can use to change the world”. The Mayor took the opportunity to wish learners well for their final exams. Mr M Mnguni the school principal, was overjoyed and thankful for the gesture.
In his vote of thanks the Principal said: “What a vibrant, knowledgeable and informative municipality we have.” He then assured the Mayor that strategies are in place to maintain this 100 percent pass rate with quality results.
