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 Stories

Local Stories

Young golf champion tees up title defence

Young golf talent Valentino Daniels, aged 15, impressively recorded an albatross as he prepares to defend his title at KallaManie Foundation Golf Day.

Staff Reporter

|

31 Jul 2026
Informal trader celebrates birthday by feeding more than 300

Connie Bee celebrated her birthday by serving soup and bread to over 300 community members, highlighting local hunger and generosity.

Shanti Jafta

|

27 Jul 2026
Ward councillor gives boost to Kariega soccer club

Atlantic Spurs received new kits to boost player dignity, while promoting education and community support to combat negative influences.

Shanti Jafta

|

24 Jul 2026
Resident takes pothole repairs into his own hands

A Kariega resident, Barend Lombard, is repairing potholes, highlighting community responsibility and pressing local government for better service delivery.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Jul 2026
Young educator takes helm at Despatch Preparatory School

Asja-Leah Strydom, a celebrated educator, becomes the youngest principal of Despatch Preparatory School, aiming to innovate and empower learners.

UD Express

|

26 Jun 2026
New Despatch radio station launched to amplify community voices

Certified Despatch Radio launched in June to amplify local voices, support musicians, and provide diverse programming for community development.

Shanti Jafta

|

25 Jun 2026
Kariega mother, daughter share graduation day

Natasha Meyer overcame teenage motherhood challenges, embracing education and faith, ultimately graduating with her daughter, symbolising resilience and success.

Shanti Jafta

|

18 Jun 2026
Jong vrywilliger bou met passie aan hoop op Despatch

Chané Veldtman (21) het met diensbaarheid grootgeword, en vandag kies sy om haar hand op te steek en ‘n verskil in haar gemeenskap te maak.

UD Express

|

18 Jun 2026
MES work rehabilitation teams help keep Kariega schools clean

MES Kariega’s work rehabilitation teams improve local school environments, providing valuable skills and community service opportunities for beneficiaries.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Jun 2026
Youth Rising Festival aims to empower, inspire young talent

The Youth Rising Festival 2026 in Kariega celebrates youth talent and empowerment to honor Junior King, fostering creativity and community involvement.

Shanti Jafta

|

5 Jun 2026