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 » Crime » Page 5

Crime

Ex-boyfriend arrested for rape, assault in Depatch

A man was arrested for allegedly raping and assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Despatch yesterday after a concerned neighbour intervened to help the victim escape safely.

UD Express

|

20 Feb 2026
Five women charged with fraud in connection with Despatch murder investigation

Five women aged 23-46 were arrested for fraud after allegedly submitting fraudulent insurance claims following Cynthia Nowizana Mali’s murder in Despatch.

UD Express

|

18 Feb 2026
Detectives seek help in finding wanted kidnapping suspect

The Nelson Mandela Bay District Detective Intervention Task Team is appealing to the community for assistance in tracing the wanted kidnapping suspect Donovan ‘Poenie’ Williams.

UD Express

|

17 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
Gynaecologist accused of raping a minor granted R5,000 bail

A 56-year-old Nigerian gynaecologist accused of raping a minor on 31 January 2026 was granted R5,000 bail at Kariega Magistrate’s Court today despite community objections.

Shanti Jafta

|

13 Feb 2026
Gynecologist denies minor rape charge in Kariega

A 56-year-old gynaecologist of Nigerian descent appeared in Kariega Magistrates’ Court on rape charges involving a minor, pleading not guilty during his bail application hearing.

Shanti Jafta

|

12 Feb 2026
Man (20) arrested within hours for Addo murder, robbery

A 20-year-old man was arrested within fifteen hours for murder and robbery following two violent incidents in Addo yesterday that tragically left one teenager dead.

UD Express

|

6 Feb 2026
Eastern Cape SAPS calls for K9 support

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape is making a call to the public for donations of dogs to join its esteemed K9 units. The province’s police…

Source:

Zavela Makwabe

|

6 Feb 2026
Minnie kidnapping: Suspects appear unmoved in court as matter is rescheduled

The suspects allegedly demanded her husband Karel pay a R10 million ransom for her safe return following the abduction of Theresa Minnie from her Fairbridge Heights home.

Source:

Shanti Jafta

|

4 Feb 2026
Three arrested as police recover two illegal firearms in Kariega operation

In Kariega, two suspects were arrested and firearms seized during a police operation aimed at reducing crime and illegal weapons in January 2026.

UD Express

|

29 Jan 2026