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 3

Community Highlights

Muir, Department of Education investigate alleged bullying incident

A video has sparked an investigation into alleged initiation practices at Muir College Boys’ High, raising concerns about student safety and welfare, prompting calls for accountability.

Shanti Jafta

|

12 Mar 2026
SAPS seek help identifying deceased African man in Kariega

Kariega police are investigating the discovery of an unidentified male body, aged 50-60, found on 5 March 2026. Circumstances and identity remain unknown.

UD Express

|

7 Mar 2026
School shoes for KwaNobuhle learners

Transnet Engineering donated 208 pairs of school shoes to J.N. Tulwana Primary School, enhancing learner morale and aiming to alleviate socio-economic challenges for underprivileged students.

UD Express

|

5 Mar 2026
Metro to prioritise water leaks amid drought

Residents of Kariega are frustrated with poor municipal service, particularly regarding persistent water leaks and potholes on busy streets, impacting daily life and safety.

Shanti Jafta

|

5 Mar 2026
Serial rapist handed life sentence in Gqeberha High Court

Serial rapist Lonwabo Ndwe was handed life imprisonment by the Gqeberha High Court for rape, kidnapping and robbery crimes with aggravating circumstances committed in Kariega.

PE Express

|

27 Feb 2026
Community project gains private sector partner

The Limekhaya Community Project in KwaLanga successfully delivered its first spinach batch to Spur, highlighting a partnership between community agriculture and local business, supported by the municipality.

UD Express

|

27 Feb 2026
Kariega schools grow table tennis

Table tennis in Kariega and Despatch is growing, led by coach Julian Horne, who aims to enhance school participation despite challenges like limited resources and transportation.

Shanti Jafta

|

19 Feb 2026
Kariega resident leads volunteer initiative

A local resident, Barend Lombard, is organising a volunteer cleanup near Uitenhage Train Station to combat community neglect and restore pride in Kariega’s public spaces.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Feb 2026
Local online radio fills gap in community storytelling

Kariega Online Radio, founded in 2024 by Sandile Buzani, provides a community platform for local voices and stories, addressing issues and celebrating achievements while facing sustainability challenges.

Shanti Jafta

|

16 Feb 2026
No-fee Kariega school plagued by frequent vandalism

A no-fee school in Kariega faces closure due to vandalism, affecting education for local children. The principal highlights severe damage and appeals for community support.

Shanti Jafta

|

16 Feb 2026