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 » Local News » Page 15

Local News

Four men nabbed after courier van hijacking in Butterworth

Four Butterworth courier van hijackers were swiftly arrested after tracking technology and a joint security operation helped expose their whereabouts.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

29 Apr 2026
Police search for 15-year-old girl missing from KwaNobuhle

Fifteen-year-old Sisipho Dywili from Kariega has been missing since April 17, 2026; police seek public assistance in locating her.

UD Express

|

28 Apr 2026
KwaNobuhle, Kariega CBD hit by municipal enforcement operations

Authorities in Nelson Mandela Bay conducted operations leading to shop closures, fines, and arrests for regulatory non-compliance and public safety violations.

UD Express

|

24 Apr 2026
NMBM rejects circulating rumours about contaminated water in Despatch

Residents in Despatch are advised to boil water due to E. coli detection, while the municipality assures water safety and combats misinformation.

UD Express

|

23 Apr 2026
Major wastewater plant upgrades near completion for Despatch residents

The Despatch Wastewater Treatment Works is 87.5% upgraded, now achieving 88% compliance, enhancing public health and environmental protection.

UD Express

|

23 Apr 2026
Spinal patient endures year-long wait for care at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital

Magrietha Justus advocates for better healthcare after suffering long waits and inadequate treatment at an alleged failing public hospital system.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Apr 2026
Despatch Preparatory celebrates 54 years with joy and community spirit

Despatch Preparatory School, fondly known as “the school on the hill,” celebrated its 54th birthday on Friday, 10 April.

UD Express

|

17 Apr 2026
Farmers force closure of municipal waste site

The Hillwagt Transfer Site has been closed due to safety risks, illegal dumping, and environmental damage, prompting enforcement action against offenders.

Shanti Jafta

|

9 Apr 2026
KwaNobuhle man shot dead, police launch murder investigation

SAPS in KwaNobuhle are investigating a murder after a 25-year-old man was found shot dead in Makotshomela Street on Tuesday.

UD Express

|

8 Apr 2026
UDTA shuts down Nqweba entrances over alleged road repair promises

The UDTA closed Nqweba entrances today, protesting poor road conditions after unsatisfactory responses from the municipality over a year.

Shanti Jafta

|

8 Apr 2026