The Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign took place at almost all the schools in the Gert Sibande and Nkangala Districts.

The cleaning campaign was held on Thursday, July 28.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education reported that all schools in the two districts were granted time off, to mobilise local stakeholders, parents, learners, teachers, non-teaching staff, former students and local business communities and invite them to assist in cleaning, conduct basic painting, fix broken windows, establish flower and vegetable gardens, plant trees and improve the surroundings of the schools.

In addition, communities are encouraged to return school property which may be at their disposal so that it can be used for the intended purpose.

Members of school governing bodies working together with school management teams in each school must lead from the front and develop a clear schedule of how the activities of the day will unfold.

Parents, learners, teachers, assistant teachers and non-teaching staff are all expected to participate and teach learners about the significance of the cleanliness of each school.

Vuma Primary School principal, Mr Sipho Masemola leading from the front said that as the president had called for the Thuma Mina Campaign and July being Mandela Month, both campaigns fit well.

At Maloma Primary School, the school principal Mr Mishack Mahlangu started the day by leading his staff members, learners, parents and community members to clean the school. They were also joined by Basetsana Marabe, a Miss Regal International finalist.

Officials from the district and head office were deployed to some schools within the district to participate in this programme as well.

“There must be an element of fun, innovation and creativity that must be integrated into this programme on the day as such. The department will appreciate schools sending some pictures which will be posted on the departmental social media platforms. Rhandza Xikolo Xa Wena Campaign seeks to address most of the negative challenges experienced at schools by mobilising communities to own and safeguard their respective schools. It is an initiative that must be used to condemn all forms of social ills that find their way to schools such as bullying, corporal punishment, drug trafficking, gangsterism and so on. It intends to ensure that communities take care of schools, assist in the rehabilitation of broken school properties, protect them from any criminal activity and prevent the trafficking of illegal substances,” reads a statement from the department of education.

The department is collaborating with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust, Sasol, Fundi, and Old Mutual in this progressive endeavour.

Activities of the day included cleaning, painting, gardening, tree and flower planting, fixing broken windows and replacing broken ceilings.

“Let’s Grow South Africa Together! Leave No One Behind”.

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