Local councillor to the rescue
Annelize Wilsnach, acting principal, said she was shocked when arriving at school on January 11 to find the bad state of the pavements around the school.
The Hamlet School in Turffontein had overgrown weed around the school but thanks to quick intervention by Ward 124 councillor Mongameli Mnyameni it was sorted just in time before the school’s reopening.
Annelize Wilsnach, the acting principal, said she was shocked when arriving at school on January 11 to find the bad state of the pavements.
“We communicated several times through the years to the Johannesburg municipality to assist with the maintenance of the pavements around the school, but with no response at all,” said Wilsnach.
“We used garden services on two occasions previously to do a once-off cleaning costing us between R11 000 and R13 000 each time. On January 12, I asked for quotes again. I got two quotes, ranging between R18 000 and R28 000. It is impossible for the school to afford this.
“We take pride in our school and want all stakeholders to feel the same. I don’t want to feel ashamed when educators, learners, parents and especially new parents arrive at school when school reopens. Our mission is to strive to uplift and develop learners with intellectual disabilities, their families and the broader community. There cannot be any upliftment when people arrive at a school and it is a potential health and safety risk to enter the premises,” explained Wilsnach.
Mnyameni said the state of the pavements were bad, however, they managed to have all the weed and grass cut.
“We will always be available when needed. The school is in our area and plays a pivotal role in assisting learners with special education needs, so we are part of the school,” he said.
After the cutting of weed and grass Wilsnach said, “I am over the moon! Thank you councillor. The pavements are looking a 120 per cent better than ever. Thank you for your input to clean up the pavements.”
Wilsnach said the Hamlet School is a school for learners with special educational needs.
“Most of the learners come from a low social-economical background and they are dependent on a state subsidy to fund all projects at school.
“This is a tall order as learner and teacher support materials are expensive and the school also supply a daily meal to every learner at the school. The school building is almost 120 years old and is in daily need of maintenance in infrastructure, plumbing and electrical challenges.”
It is situated at 125 Bertha Street, Turffontein.
