Elation as MMC Sifumba hands out school uniforms

23 january 2017

 

 

Now I’m going to look like other kids at school,” said a relieved and elated Nkosinathi Xaba (7) after he received a school uniform from City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba in Soweto on Friday January 20.

 

Nkosinathi, who is being raised by an unemployed single mother of three, dreaded going to school because his classmates usually made fun of him for not having a school uniform.

“My mother couldn’t afford to buy me uniform because she has to use our social grant money to buy food. Now I have no reason to bunk school because I have everything I need. No one will laugh at me now because of the way I look,” said Nkosinathi.

Nkosinathi was one of more than 100 disadvantaged learners in Region D – which covers most of Soweto – who were provided with school uniforms by the City in partnership with Harmony Gold at the Jabulani Civic Centre.

Cllr Sifumba said the occasion was about giving to the future of the City.

“Education is a fundamental right in this country. Every child is entitled to basic quality education. Food, books and school uniforms are a priority for the Community Development portfolio,” said Cllr Sifumba.

She said the City would work hard to ensure that poor families were taken care of. Cllr Sifumba said having a school uniform created unity and eliminated bullying.

“These uniforms will give children a sense of belonging and acceptance. Many learners from poor backgrounds end up dropping out of school because of being tormented by other children as their parents can’t afford to buy them uniforms,” said Cllr Sifumba.

She said education was the greatest tool that could be used to empower children.

“We’re here to rekindle hope for our future leaders and ensure that no child is isolated because of how he or she looks or don’t look,” said Cllr Sifumba.

“We want children to have good experiences and to never miss a step in life.”

Citizen Relationship and Urban Management’s Palesa Moshoeshoe said this was just the start of bigger things.
“We’ve seen the challenges you’re faced with in your schools and in the near future we would like to take more than 10 schools,” said Moshoeshoe.

Harmony Gold’s Lebohang Shabe said the mining house would always get involved when approached and asked to give back to the community.

“We have mines in this particular space and we have to give back to the community. Our communities must benefit from the work that we do,” said Shabe.

Teacher Motlalepula Ngobese from Molaetsa Primary School thanked the City and Harmony Gold for their generosity.

“As educators we’re faced with this situation day in and day out. We’re happy there are companies, like Harmony Gold, that are willing to help and make life a bit better for our learners,” concluded Ngobese.