Municipality donates uniforms to 15 schools
The council chief whip, Teddy Hlophe, motivated learners to focus on their education, in order to change their lives and those of their families.
The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s (RNM) Back to School Campaign has seen more than 15 local schools receive necessities, ranging from uniforms, stationery and sanitary pads.
The municipality hosted the annual event at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre last Wednesday.
The school uniform handover programme was directed by the council chief whip, Teddy Hlophe, who motivated learners to focus on their education, in order to change their lives and those of their families.
Hlophe quoted the first president of a democratic South Africa, Dr Nelson Mandela, who said: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Hlophe said that learners must respect their teachers and embrace the culture of learning, so that they can grasp what is being taught.
“You must know what you want to achieve at school. Some of you come from poor families and you must get educated to change your family’s situation. You cannot choose the family you come from, but you can choose either to die in that same family situation or die living a luxurious life through your education. Among you, there will be mayors, councillors, heads of departments, municipal managers, senior managers and municipal staff,” said Hlophe.
The mayor, Zodwa Mzindle, said that they were handing over school uniforms to both primary and high school learners who come from poor families.
“We bought you full school uniforms, calculators, stationery and sanitary pads. We want to give confidence and dignity to poor learners, so that they can focus on their education and a culture of learning to pass well at the end of the year. Schoolgirls need sanitary pads, so that they don’t have to stay at home for five days while on their periods,” said Mzindle.
Mzindle said they work with various stakeholders such as the KZN Department of Education and the private sector to support education in RNM.
“When you pass your subjects with excellence, we give you mayoral registration fee at a government tertiary institution, thereafter you get your NSFAS to study free of charge,” said Mzindle.
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