Gamalakhe principal refuses donation of jerseys, shoes and blankets
The woman reportedly said that she was not interested in their help because the school needed a sports ground and not shoes and jerseys.
The principal at Galeni Secondary School in Gamalahke reportedly chased away sponsors because she had ‘not asked for their help’.
The woman reportedly told Orlando Pirates defender Ayanda Gcaba, his wife, and political activist Mpume Mbono that she was not interested in their help because the school needed a sports ground and not shoes and jerseys.
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Mr Mbono said he had approached the Pirates player – a former pupil at the school – for a donation.
Mr Gcaba, he said, had willingly agreed.
“He said he would donate shoes and jerseys to 30 pupils, as well as blankets to their parents. I thought it was a brilliant idea, especially because he would also motivate the pupils who are often involved in drugs,” said Mr Mbono.
He added they had then approached the school with the idea but were turned away by the principal who reportedly said she had not asked for their help.
“I was shocked at her behavior, she was so rude. When I asked if her refusal had anything to do with my political affiliation, she replied that it did not, but had everything to do with the fact that we were offering what she did not need.”
Since the incident, pupils and parents have taken to social media, saying the principal’s behavior was appalling, and that she had been reported to the department on numerous occasions.
One retired teacher had said she was glad she had left.
“How she treated those sponsors is how she treats her staff. And to top it all, the school is performing badly.”
According to statistics obtained from the Department of Education, the school’s performance had dropped, and the rate of teen pregnancy was high.
The school had been contacted several times for comment, without success.
An intern who answered the phone on Tuesday this week said the principal was ‘busy with classes’, and a message left with the school clerk was ignored.
On Wednesday, the school clerk said the principal was away at a meeting, even though she had apparently been spotted at the school.
The Department of Education’s Ugu district staff referred the Herald to the provincial communications unit for comment, but efforts to get hold of department spokesman Kwazi Mthethwa proved fruitless.
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