School principal appreciates council at 10th anniversary
“As a school in the middle of nowhere people often just pass by. I am humbled when we are seen and remembered,” says school principal Mahlangu Sobambeni.
A Pretoria farm school principal has expressed gratitude to the regulator pharmacy council in South Africa for not abandoning their crucial needs in their decade-long relations.
Principal Simon Bheka Mahlangu said this during the celebration of the 10-year-old relations between Wozanibone Secondary School in Kameelzynkrall, Bronkhorstspruit and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
Mahlangu expressed his appreciation to the council for not once abandoning the school in dire situations as they have contributed to supporting the enhancement of a conducive learning and teaching environment.
Mahlangu was speaking on September 29 – the month the medical community celebrated pharmacies.
He said since the partnership, the council had extended its arms to a school that was for most passersby unnoticed.
“As a school in the middle of nowhere people often just pass by. I am humbled when we are seen and remembered.”
He was thankful for the frequent council visits, as the farm school was this year assisted with furniture, which had been a pressing need.
Mahlangu said the equipment would be used to ensure the learners excelled towards the SAPC goal for a pharmacist to arise from the Kanana village community.
SAPC has assisted the school with its immediate requirements since its adoption of the school in 2013.
In this year’s reunion on September 29, aimed to empower education inspired by the 2023 Pharmacy Month theme dubbed “Pharmacy united in promoting healthcare for patients” by dedicating to assisting the school with tables and chairs, and essential health supplies for the learners.
It also took steps to organise the school’s library and classrooms as part of a build to nurture young minds and shape future leaders.
The aid is focused on addressing pressing issues identified at the school when need assessments are held.
On June 2, 2023, SAPC conducted a needs assessment which identified the lack of tables and chairs in the school.
Most classrooms had tables and chairs that were either broken or not enough to cater for all the learners attending and the SAPC in turn donated 40 tables and chairs. along with sanitary towels and hygiene soaps gifted to the school.
In the 10-year partnership, the SAPC painted the school’s classrooms, and gates and undertook other basic maintenance on the school’s infrastructure.
He said health products such as sanitary towels, toiletries, school shoes, socks and beanies, stationery and food items were vital for the community where the learner°s caregivers were not privileged.
Other benefits to the school were items such as sleeping bags, blankets, lamps, office furniture, paper, stationery, whiteboards, laptops and even data.
SAPC CEO Vincent Tlala said “The SAPC encourages volunteerism and active citizenship. We encourage the pharmacy profession to get involved, and give their time, skills, and resources to make a difference.”
Tlala said their 2013 adoption of the school was in the hopes of nurturing young minds.
“As the council adopted Wozanibone, we knew we had to give back to the community where we operate and have since 2013 hoped to nurture a pharmacist from this school, in hopes of establishing pharmacies in the community.
“We are still looking forward to this day and know it will take time.”
Tlala said the council partook in such outreaches as vessels to cultivate the community.
