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 13

Community Highlights

Kariega recently hosted a SMME workshop

The NMBM hosted an SMME workshop for entrepreneurs, emphasising their importance in economic growth and planning for an upcoming summit, while celebrating Youth Day and its significance.

Shanti Jafta

|

19 Jun 2025
Local resident seeks help revamping Youth Care Centre

Kyla Cronje initiates the Dignity Rising Project to renovate Salem House at Oosterland CYCC, aiming to improve young girls’ living conditions through community support and donations.

Shanti Jafta

|

13 Jun 2025
EC schools among 1 000 beneficiaries of National Literacy Campaign

The 2025 Road to Literacy campaign in South Africa distributed mobile library trolleys to 1000 schools, supporting literacy and numeracy through mother tongue resources, significantly expanding outreach.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

13 Jun 2025
International Rotary collaboration brings joy to local crèches

A casual dialogue among Rotarians led to a R11 000 donation for two Eastern Cape crèches, highlighting the transformative impact of international collaboration in community service.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

13 Jun 2025
Threefold Cord Academy marks 20 years with weekend celebrations

Threefold Cord Academy celebrated its 20th anniversary with successful fundraising events, supporting a Madagascar school for orphans while addressing contemporary family challenges through expert discussions.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

12 Jun 2025
‘Friends of the Museum’ initiative launched

The Uitenhage Historical Museum initiated the ‘Friends of the Museum’ program, inviting volunteers to support heritage preservation, educational activities, and community engagement across its facilities.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

12 Jun 2025
Goodyear SA announces Kariega plant closure

Goodyear plans to close its Kariega plant after 80 years, restructuring operations while maintaining sales in South Africa amid significant challenges faced by tyre manufacturers in the region.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

12 Jun 2025
Riebeek choir need help to go to ATKV finals

Riebeek College Girls’ High School has been selected for the ATKV Applous finals, needing to raise R300 000 for 53 choir members to attend the event in Pretoria.

Shanti Jafta

|

12 Jun 2025
Metropolitan Police Commissioners Forum held in NMB

A three-day forum in Nelson Mandela Bay focused on enhancing law enforcement strategies, safety initiatives, and collaborative training among police organizations to address road safety and crime.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

6 Jun 2025
Youth build impressive ‘tower’ for charity

Young people from Kariega achieved 195 metres of donations during the “I Can” charity drive, highlighting community spirit, resilience, and teamwork in support of local needs.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

5 Jun 2025