Basizeni School’s learners with intellectual disabilities become choral champs
Cleopas Palmer said winning three cups proved that these learners were as capable as those in conventional schools.
The Basizeni School for learners with special educational needs in eMbalenhle won the Mpumalanga Provincial Schools Choral Championship and will now compete in the National Championship in Johannesburg from June 27 to July 1.
The school choir first took first place at the start of the competition held at Osizweni Primary School from May 12 to 14.
They then participated in the district level in Ermelo on May 20 to 23, again taking the first position.
The choir then competed in the Provincial Championship at the eMalahleni Municipality, where they won to become the provincial champs.
According to Cleopas Palmer, the music teacher at the school, the main objective was to teach their learners music and remind them they also have unique talents.
Palmer said winning three cups proved that these learners were as capable as those in conventional schools.
Nomthetho Memela, the principal, said hard work by the teacher and the learners put the school on the South African map.
Memela congratulated her learners for bringing the school three trophies and certificates and also appealed to the parents and the community to support her learners.
She said some learners came from mainstream schools, but because of their intellectual disabilities, they ended up at Basizeni School.
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“Our school ends in Grade 6, so after graduating, we absorb some and help others apply for work at various companies. We also encourage them to further their studies.
“These learners are just like us.
“The only difference is their intellectual disability. We ask the community to accept them with their disabilities and stop the stigma,” said Memela.
