LIMPOPO – APPROXIMATELY 410 learners from across the Capricorn district received school uniforms from the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) recently during a handover ceremony at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane.
CDM mayor, Gilbert Kganyago, said they identified 33 rural and farm schools in the district for this initiative. He said the idea was born on Mandela Day when they visited various schools and they wanted to support learners by giving them school material.
“Government gives learners books and other learner material and we as CDM thought it wise and important to complement that which government is providing to learners,” said Kganyago.
He said all beneficiaries received bags, school pants and skirts, as well as shirts.
“One of our goals for this year is to provide a universal primary education. We want to offer an equal opportunity among learners to escape the stigma of those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said he said.
He said he was grateful to the contribution of sponsors towards this initiative. “The generosity from sponsors is highly appreciated. The learners will have the confidence to go to class and learn skills, which will help them alleviate the extreme poverty facing communities,” he said.
Kganyago said communities and teachers needed to work together to support the learners and ensure they stayed in school.
CDM chief whip, Calvin Masoga, said they wanted to create a conducive environment in schools where all learners would be free to learn without being mocked for not having a proper uniform.
“These are the young leaders of tomorrow so they need to be well taken care of,” said Masoga.
Benny Pheme, a teacher from Hwiti High School in Mankweng, said the school was happy to receive the uniform as there were learners who desperately needed it.
