Topic Menu:

JOHN Walton Secondary School was recently endowed with a study centre and sleeping quarters, where its matric learners can look forward to having two meals a day while they study for the year ahead.

The school received over R45 000 in sponsorship, both monetary and in-kind.

The KallaManie Benefit Foundation was established in memory of the late Manie ‘Kalla’ Daniels, who was a long-serving educator at John Walton. The Foundation, registered as a Non-Profit Company (NPC), donates all its proceeds to good causes. The late Daniels’ wife, Fredaline, nominated Jamie-Lee Daniels, Clinton Anderson, and Jeffrey du Preez as the Foundation’s founding directors.

The donation came in various forms, from local businesses such as the KallaManie Benefit Foundation donating R30 000, Score under Chill Beverages who donated R5 000, the JWSS Alumni Association donating R15 000, Buco Hardware Store, which donated building materials, as well as Andrew Rabie Secondary School and Ebrahim Wicomb who donated cutlery.

A current Grade 12 learner shared his heartfelt story about what the study centre would mean for him going into his matric year.

“My living conditions are not good because, during the day, I cannot study as there is too much noise around. We stay in a one-roomed flat in someone’s backyard. Sometimes, I have to study with a torch because the owner of the house switches off the electricity often, or sometimes there just is no electricity,” said the learner.

He added that he has a desire to learn, but his circumstances do not allow him to do so. This is why he believes that the study centre will be beneficial for him and other learners as well. “It will provide learners, such as me, with a safe and comfortable place to learn.”

The learner, filled with emotion, added, “I am grateful that I will now have a place to get valuable study time, as well as a guaranteed warm plate of food and breakfast the next day.”

The sleeping quarters were equipped with numerous bunk beds, which were assembled by the school’s wood-working department to limit costs. Deputy Principal Phillip Joseph added that they hope to receive more donations as there is still space to convert the adjacent classroom into another sleeping quarter. The current arrangement will alternate between housing boys one week and girls the next. Should there be more funding, it will give learners equal opportunities to benefit from it.

According to Joseph, a section of the school was converted into two sections: a study hall and sleeping quarters, which would accommodate approximately 20 learners both during the week and over the weekend for those in need.

“Learners who cannot study at home are encouraged to come to the school, where they will be provided with a meal and an opportunity to study among teachers. Having teachers around will give struggling learners an opportunity to ask questions should they get stuck,” Joseph added.

As a non-fee paying school receiving a subsidy from the Department of Education, the subsidy goes towards the school’s learning materials and staff salaries.

“Our school was meant to be a temporary structure (made of wood) in 1978. We were initially meant to move; however, that has not happened yet. So, we need money for the maintenance of the school as well,” Joseph said.

He added that the learners come from impoverished backgrounds, and in some cases, learners have additional challenges.

The Principal, Stephen de Bruin, said that the school moved from quintile 4 to quintile 3, which means that the learners are part of the government’s school feeding scheme.

“This initiative is important because some children who do not eat, do not have the energy to study throughout the day. This will eradicate that and give all learners an equal chance at succeeding in their studies,” De Bruin said.

He also added that the study centre will be a sanctuary for learners who cannot study at home, and that here will be security guards patrolling the premises to ensure that the learners are safe.

Joseph concluded, “The school calls on other businesses and able community members to assist them in providing larger sleeping quarters for its learners to help them achieve an even higher pass rate than last year’s 80.1%.”

Topic Menu:

Home » Community Highlights » Page 12

Community Highlights

Raw sewage threatens Kariega’s last tennis court

The Drostdy Park Tennis Club in Kariega suffers from severe municipal neglect, with sewage flooding the courts, posing health risks and hindering community access to tennis.

Shanti Jafta

|

24 Jul 2025
Namakwaland reeds besig om sy blommekleed vir skouspel oop te gooi

Gunstige weersomstandighede vroeër vanjaar het tot die vroeë ontkieming van blomme in Namakwaland gelei, met ‘n blommeskouspel wat vir nog ‘n paar weke voorspel word.

Source:

Helena Barnard

|

17 Jul 2025
Illegal dumping — a pressing issue in Kariega

Ward councillors in Kariega express frustration over persistent illegal dumping, leading to public health risks and urging community involvement to combat the issue effectively.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Jul 2025
KwaNobuhle sports forum meeting set for next week

The KwaNobuhle Sport Arts & Culture Task Team is hosting a crucial community meeting on July 24 to enhance local sports and cultural development.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Jul 2025
Gardens Rugby Club hosts soup kitchen for community

Garden Rugby Club organised a soup kitchen to give back to the community, reflecting their belief in rugby as a tool for leadership, resilience, and unity.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Jul 2025
Omotoso trial: First part of appeal process to be heard

On Monday, July 14, the Eastern Cape High Court will hear the first part of the appeal process in the criminal case involving Timothy Omotoso.

Source:

UD Express

|

13 Jul 2025
Join the Pay It Forward Community Fund: Rucking for a Cause

Local student and Express correspondent Danielle Saayman is turning her experience of pain and loss after the death of her mother into a pay it forward campaign. Saayman, in collaboration…

Source:

PE Express

|

10 Jul 2025
Booshle G to perform before six Boks home matches

Booshle G will perform before the Springbok home matches, celebrating South African music and rugby, while emphasising the importance of consistency and building connections in the music industry.

Shanti Jafta

|

10 Jul 2025
Despatch Prep joins fight against bullying

Despatch Preparatory School hosted a Bullying Awareness Week, inviting alumnus Ta Fire to educate learners on bullying’s effects and inspire empathy and kindness among learners.

Shanti Jafta

|

3 Jul 2025
Rotary Club of Uitenhage South hands out free books

The Rotary Club of Uitenhage South received over 15,000 donated books from Texas, distributing them to local schools and communities to promote education and literacy.

Shanti Jafta

|

3 Jul 2025