Six classrooms at Isilimela Secondary School in Langa got a facelift on Friday 18 July, thanks to the South African Medical and Education (SAME) Foundation.
The project formed part of the foundation’s 67 minutes for Mandela Day commemorated annually on 18 July.
The foundation is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to high-impact community development in health care and education.
Thobeka Dlali, school principal, said the initiative came at the right time. She said the classrooms were in bad condition and in desperate need of a revamp.
“We believe the new look in the classrooms will motivate the learners and promote cleanliness as well. Also, it will change the learner’s behaviour,” said Dlali.
She emphasised that it was not the first time the foundation contributed to the school.
Dlali said its role as a school is to ensure it keeps the classrooms clean.
“Our relationship with SAME Foundation started in 2021 when it donated a computer lab for our learners. Now it is painting our classes. And we are pleased with that. We intend keeping our relationship with it for as long as we can,” she said.
However, she stressed that there are challenges that they are facing at the school these include drug use by some learners, lack of discipline and teenage pregnancy.
Grade 12 learner Angel Matyhila (18) described the event as a great initiative. She praised the foundation for demonstrating ubuntu. “What the SAME Foundation is doing is what Tata Mandela stood for,” she said, adding that the project gave a new look to the classrooms.
“Tata Mandela fought for our liberation including quality education. He prioritised education.”
The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Trevor Pols said the aim is to make the school a conducive environment for teaching and learning. He stated Isilimela had been one of its beneficiaries for four years.
“We donated a computer lab in 2021. We are painting six classrooms. And we are currently building two science labs we are going to open at the end of this month,” said Pols.
