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 » Page 9

Local Stories

Gardens Rugby Club hosts soup kitchen for community

Garden Rugby Club organised a soup kitchen to give back to the community, reflecting their belief in rugby as a tool for leadership, resilience, and unity.

Shanti Jafta

|

17 Jul 2025
Cape Town taxi driver arrested for attempted murder after road rage stabbing

A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday on an attempted murder charge following a road rage incident.

Source:

People’s Post

|

15 Jul 2025
Kyk | Checkers Sixty60 lewer matriekdans-uitnodings by skool af

Checkers Sixty60 het Hoërskool Bosmansdam se matrieks verras met dansuitnodigings, afgelewer in hul bekende afleweringsakke – reg in die saal!

Source:

Richard Roberts

|

4 Jul 2025
Despatch Prep joins fight against bullying

Despatch Preparatory School hosted a Bullying Awareness Week, inviting alumnus Ta Fire to educate learners on bullying’s effects and inspire empathy and kindness among learners.

Shanti Jafta

|

3 Jul 2025
Kelly en kie begin met appèlproses teen lewenslange vonnis

Joshlin Smith se ontvoerders wat lewenslange tronkstraf uitdien, het aansoek gedoen om te appèlleer.

Source:

Alida Buckle

|

19 Jun 2025
International Rotary collaboration brings joy to local crèches

A casual dialogue among Rotarians led to a R11 000 donation for two Eastern Cape crèches, highlighting the transformative impact of international collaboration in community service.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

13 Jun 2025
Threefold Cord Academy marks 20 years with weekend celebrations

Threefold Cord Academy celebrated its 20th anniversary with successful fundraising events, supporting a Madagascar school for orphans while addressing contemporary family challenges through expert discussions.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

12 Jun 2025
Youth build impressive ‘tower’ for charity

Young people from Kariega achieved 195 metres of donations during the “I Can” charity drive, highlighting community spirit, resilience, and teamwork in support of local needs.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

5 Jun 2025
Rotary Club host Primary School netball tournament

The third Rotary Super Eleven Netball Tournament featured twelve primary schools, with Dalrose Primary School winning first place and significant community support evident during the event.

Shanti Jafta

|

29 May 2025
Former deputy head girl makes international modelling debut

Brooklyn Prince, a former Deputy Head Girl, debuted internationally in modelling at a fashion show in Turkey, aiming to inspire youth and empower others through her journey.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

29 May 2025