Pedaling their way to a better education
Learners from three schools in the province now have easier access to education thanks to the donation of 15 bicycles which took place at Garden Court on 24 May.
POLOKWANE – The handover is the brainchild of HEHA Trading in association with the Small Business Support Programme. The schools were identified when underprivileged communities were researched, during the implementation of the Small Business Support Programme. The programme is sponsored by Transport Education Training Authority (TETA).
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Teta’s strategic goal is skills development and to support small entities, like HEHA Trading. HEHA provides tailor made business entrepreneurship programmes, driven by the commercial needs of the targeted entities. Mogabane Primary School in Mogobane village, Tiyani Secondary School in Tiyani village and Ramollwane Secondary School in Mamatlakala village are the selected schools in the province.
Nyikiwa Rikhotso, principal of Tiyani Secondary School, expressed his gratitude for the helping hand the school was given. “It means a lot as we also accommodate learners from neighbouring villages. These bicycles will help make the commute to school easier for the learners and make sure they arrive at school on time,” he said. He added that he heard the Department of Education has a similar initiative, but the school was not a recipient of those bicycles, hence it means a lot that they have finally been considered. The Principal of Mogabane Primary School, Tjatjatja Ezekiel, shared similar sentiments of gratitude, explaining his school also accommodates learners from neighbouring villages. He has identified approximately 100 learners, who travel long distances to access education.
“We are delighted, thankful and humbled by this gift. We come from a socio-economically disadvantaged community and believe the bicycles will help the children get to school. Bontle Monchusi, project officer for Teta said it was a proud moment for what HEHA Trading was doing. “We instil within the businesses that it is important to give back to the communities that support them. This initiative is an example of that,” she said.
