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 8

Crime

Five family members convicted in R500k UIF fraud, money laundering scheme

GQEBERHA – The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has convicted five accused people who are linked to a complex Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud and money laundering scheme perpetrated against…

Source:

Novus Media

|

18 Nov 2025
Gqeberha family convicted in R500k UIF fraud, money laundering scheme

GQEBERHA – The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has convicted five accused people who are linked to a complex Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud and money laundering scheme perpetrated against…

Source:

Novus Media

|

18 Nov 2025
Despatch kidnap victim released, suspect arrested

A 52-year-old woman who was kidnapped during an armed robbery at a butchery in Despatch yesterday has been released unharmed.

Source:

PE Express

|

15 Nov 2025
Despatch: Woman (52) kidnapped during morning business robbery

A 52-year-old woman has been kidnapped today, 14 November, during a business robbery at a local butchery called Grootboom Slaghuis in Despatch. According to police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, the…

UD Express

|

14 Nov 2025
Kamesh police investigate alleged rape of 13-year-old girl

A 13-year-old girl from the Kamesh precinct in Kariega was allegedly sexually assaulted over the weekend, as officially confirmed by the South African Police Service.

Shanti Jafta

|

11 Nov 2025
Veronique May (8) murder: 10-week postponement for further investigation

The suspect accused of the brutal murder of Veronique May (8) briefly appeared at the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court with a smirk on his face.

Shanti Jafta

|

10 Nov 2025
UDTA vows to protect local schools from criminals

Armed robbers recently struck Phaphani High School in KwaNobuhle, terrorising School Governing Body members and few learners during a matriculant examination preparation camp.

Shanti Jafta

|

10 Nov 2025
Eastern Cape car-winning cop on a mission to end GBV in Kamesh

KARIEGA – The winner of a car at this year’s Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha is on the frontlines of the war against gender-based violence. Nomandla Lunguza, a lieutenant-colonel in the…

Source:

Gugulethu Mtumane

|

7 Nov 2025
Suspects back in court for murder of Gqberha businessman

Three suspects charged in connection with the brutal murder of businessman Danie de Jager made a brief appearance in court today.

Source:

Natasha Bezuidenhout

|

6 Nov 2025
Suspect arrested after armed robbery, shootout at Despatch liquor store

One suspect was apprehended after an armed robbery at a Despatch liquor store, following a shootout with police who recovered firearms, cash and stolen liquor.

UD Express

|

29 Oct 2025