Taxi leader builds school hall in eMbalenhle
The Vukanini Taxi Association also donated 200 chairs to the school.
The chairperson of the Vukanini Taxi Association, Mpumalanga South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and national second deputy president of SANTACO, Fanyana Sibanyoni, handed over a school hall he personally funded and built at Tholukwazi Primary School in eMbalenhle on June 9.
His taxi association also donated 200 chairs to the school.
Addressing attendees during the handover ceremony, Sibanyoni said giving back to the community has always been important to him.
He recalled previously refurbishing classrooms at the school after they were destroyed by fire.
“This school has a special place in my heart because it is where I started my school years. I was raised and mentored here.
“When I heard that some of the classrooms had been destroyed by fire, it touched me and I decided to refurbish them,” he said.
Sibanyoni explained that the idea of building a hall came after he saw learners eating their meals while seated on the ground.
“One day I was passing by the school and saw learners sitting in the dust while eating.
“It touched my heart and I promised myself that one day I would build them a hall where they could sit comfortably and eat.
“Today that dream has been fulfilled. I spent R387 000 from my own pocket to build this hall,” he said.
Sibanyoni encouraged other leaders and businesspeople to contribute to community development rather than rely solely on the government.
“If we wait for the government to do everything for our communities, we will not get far. This is not a government belonging to a particular political party; it belongs to all of us.
“We must lend a helping hand wherever we can. My association and I are also committing ourselves to building a school hall at Sizwakele Secondary School as part of giving back to our commuters, who are our clients,” Sibanyoni added.
Upon receiving the newly built hall, Mpumalanga MEC for Basic Education, Lindi Masina, thanked Sibanyoni for his continued contributions to community development initiatives in eMbalenhle.
She referred to a recent incident in which a learner was allegedly killed following a dispute over a school chair, describing it as a painful reminder of the challenges facing schools.
“We appreciate the support that you and your association continue to provide to the Department of Education.
This hall will be used for various activities, including study groups that promote the importance of education within our community,” said Masina.
She encouraged residents to support the department’s Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign, which calls on communities, businesses and individuals to help maintain and improve schools.
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“Parents, community members and the Vukanini Taxi Association must join hands with us to protect our schools,” she said.
Masina also highlighted concerns about school safety, noting that the department recently hosted a School Safety Indaba with various stakeholders.
“We are deeply concerned that schools are no longer as safe as they should be. Teachers and learners must feel secure in the school environment.
“We appeal to communities and organisations such as the Vukanini Taxi Association to help us make our schools safer,” said Masina.
She further commended the association for its role in resolving violent protests at eMbalenhle secondary schools last year.
“Your intervention helped restore calm and stability during a difficult period, and we remain grateful for that support,” Masina added.
