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 21

Local News

Rabies confirmed in seal found at Sardinia Bay, Gqeberha

A seal found at Sardinia Bay in Gqeberha has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in the city and the second in the province.

Source:

Natasha Bezuidenhout

|

5 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
Family seeks answers month after Junior King’s fatal crash

More than a month after the untimely death of popular TikTok personality and hip-hop artist Junior King, his family is calling for answers.

Source:

Natasha Bezuidenhout

|

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
Illegal extraction of municipal water prohibited

Law enforcement in Kariega halted an illegal water extraction operation, issuing fines for tampering with municipal infrastructure and warning against water theft amid ongoing water restrictions.

Shanti Jafta

|

29 Jan 2026
Despatch se Roxy wen tweede goud vir rolbal

Roxy Viljoen was Despatch-rolbalklub se groot ster toe sy by die OP Novice-enkelspelkampioenskap haar tweede goue medalje gewen het.

Hannes Schoeman

|

29 Jan 2026
New operator takes over Kariega pound as SPCA transition unfolds

SPCA Uitenhage faces eviction after losing the municipal pound management tender. Despite challenges, they ensure animal care continuity while seeking a new facility.

Shanti Jafta

|

29 Jan 2026
Two drug dealing suspects arrested in Kariega operation

Two suspects, aged 48 and 50, were arrested in Kariega during a drug operation, with R100,000 worth of drugs seized, including Tik and Mandrax.

UD Express

|

29 Jan 2026
Estelle is die hartklop van Despatch-krieket

Estelle de Beer is meer as net die ma van Despatch-krieketklub – sy is die tellinghouer, fotograaf, en hartklop wat die span bymekaar hou.

Hannes Schoeman

|

29 Jan 2026
Riebeek, Brandwag excel in 2025 matric results

Riebeek College achieved a 100% matric pass rate, emphasising quality results, while Hoërskool Brandwag followed closely at 96.6%, showcasing significant academic improvements.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Jan 2026