MEYERTON.- While other teachers pack their bags to go home when the bell rings it is not the case with Sofi Mareka.

This selfless educator from New Hope Secondary School in Scelo, Meyerton decided to introduce tennis at her school to keep learners away from trouble. In an exclusive interview with Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mareka said the high rate of pregnancy, gangsterism, and drugs has forced her to start teaching tennis at school.

She told Sedibeng Ster Sport that due to the above factors she saw it fitting to introduce tennis to keep them focused and away from trouble. However, Mareka told Sedibeng Ster Sport that their main challenge is a lack of resources, especially equipment, and transport. She said they practice at DF Malan every Wednesday which is far from their school.

“We have 25 learners but we can’t take all of them due to transport and lack of equipment.  I take ten learners because we don’t have enough equipment. I teach them Science and when we are done with our extra classes the transport picks us up to training.

“We appeal to anyone especially companies and business people to help with equipment and transport because this is our main challenge. Some of these learners are staying far and after training, I would drive some of their homes. Loo,k since I introduced tennis at school most of these learners show a lot of interest but our only challenge is transporting them.”