The MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, and the Deputy Speaker for the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Mlibo Qhoboshiyane, handed over a hostel that cost R189 million, which will accommodate 160 learners at Tembisa Special School in Mthatha, last week.
The handing over preceded the International Day of Persons with Disability event, which took place on December 3, in Willowvale.
Some of the amenities at the hostel include a kitchen and dining block, sports facilities, staff quarters and laundry block.
Gade encouraged parents to grab this opportunity, stating that they had seen the talents of learners from this school. “This is a significant output that we should celebrate, not only as (the Department of) Education, but as government in general.”
Qhoboshiyane said education is one of the important weapons to fight poverty. He appealed to society to ensure that they protect this school so that it should not be vandalised.
“This is one of the biggest and most important facilities that we should be proud of because it will help our learners in this province. We are happy that we have such an institution in our province because it will bring a change to learners living with disability,” said Qhoboshiyane.
The founder of this school, Thandeka Yako, said before she started this school, she had a vision. She saw children with disabilities struggling because they did not have a place that could accommodate them.
“It was not an easy journey and I always prayed that one day there would be proper accommodation for them. I went to government to try to get help but it was not easy. Luckily they provided me with transport for these learners,” said Yako.
She said even though now she is a pensioner now, she thanked God because she had managed to see her prayers being answered.
