THE deputy minister of water and environmental affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi in partnership with the Tim Tebeila Foundation recently handed over 300 school desks to Legana Batho Primary School in Mohlaletse in the Sekhukhune district as part of a nationwide back to school campaign.
The foundation also identified eight primary schools in Mohlaletse, where in partnership with the Fetakgomo Municipality handed over brand new school uniforms, books and stationery.
The desks that were handed over are made out of biomass from cleared invasive alien plants and were manufactured at the department of environmental affairs’ Working for Water Eco Furniture factory situated in Heidelberg, Gauteng.
Mabudafhasi said food parcels, school desks, school bags and T-shirts were some of the gifts that were given to learners to motivate them to study hard throughout the year.
“From Limpopo, the tour will move to the Eastern Cape, where more primary schools will be identified as beneficiaries,” she said.
Mabudafhasi commended the partnership with the Tim Tebeila Foundation as one which will ensure they carried Nelson Mandela’s legacy forward even beyond South Africa’s 20 years of freedom and democracy.
Tim Tebeila of the Tim Tebeila Foundation, who started out as a teacher said he understood the reality of children from impoverished communities, where they often didn’t have the simple pleasure of beginning the year with a new uniform or new stationery.
“Having been born into poverty myself, this is a reality I am familiar with, so this is my way of taking the spirit of Madiba into action,” he said.
“The Tim Tebeila Foundation will roll out many other charity campaigns throughout the year, which will see it living up to its mission of fostering a culture of giving and sharing.”
A year ago, Mabudafhasi made a donation of 300 school desks to Maatla Primary School in Hoedspruit, in honour of Madiba.
