LIMPOPO – PHALAPHALA FM handed over 2 130 pairs of school shoes and more than 100 packets of sanitary towels to 50 primary schools around the Vhembe district last Friday.
Speaking at the hand-over, which was held at the station’s Thohoyandou studios, Pola Mathonsi, Phalaphala FM executive producer, said reaching out to disadvantaged learners was one of their priorities to make a difference in the lives of needy children.
“It deeply touched us as a station to see children going to school barefoot in winter. Some don’t go to school because they don’t have school shoes. Education is the future and if we encourage our children to go to school, it will make South Africa an educated nation. For the past four years, we have distributed more than 50 000 pairs of shoes to needy learners,” said Mathonsi.
The station manager, Fred Sadiki, said the station had, over the years, managed to build an emotional bond with its listeners as demonstrated by their continuous support of the “Phalaphala FM to the Rescue” projects such as shoe donations, building houses, sanitary towel donations and any other CSI project which sought to address poverty alleviation or assist those in need.
“During our stakeholder engagement session in Tshwane in 2014, our listeners proposed that over and above donating shoes, Phalaphala FM should establish a trust fund to assist learners who cannot afford to pay registration fees or tuition. Listeners are prepared to support the fund through their businesses and individual initiatives. The station is working on this suggestion and hopes to finalise it as soon as possible because we believe education is the future,” said Sadiki.
On behalf of the principals, Solomon Nemutandani, said poverty hindered children’s performance in the class. He said some learners attended class on empty stomachs and didn’t have school uniform.
“The pairs of shoes we received from Phalaphala FM will make a difference. We believe that the recipients of the school shoes will also help others when they grow up,” said Nemutandani.
Thusani Ratshimbilani of the Vhumbedzi education circuit, said the station did great things for its listeners, and the donation would restore the culture of learning. She encouraged the station to continue helping the needy.
During the hand-over of the school shoes and sanitary towels, the station also handed over a R50 000 cheque to the winner of a competition to celebrate their 50th birthday celebration.
