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 » SAPS » Page 7

SAPS

Two toddlers drowned in a swimming pool in Kariega yesterday

Two toddlers, Cairo-Asher and Shyloh Sauls, drowned in a swimming pool in Kariega. A 12-year-old cousin rescued them, but they sadly did not survive. An inquest is underway.

UD Express

|

1 Nov 2025
One year later, still no sign of missing woman

Natasha Bauermeister has been missing since October 2, 2024, after leaving her home in Rooihoogte. Police seek assistance in her case.

Shanti Jafta

|

31 Oct 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
Drive-by shooting in Kariega under police investigation

SAPS Kariega opened an attempted murder case after four suspects shot a 49-year-old victim from a grey VW Polo in yesterday’s Durban Road drive-by shooting.

Source:

Shanti Jafta

|

24 Oct 2025
Veronique May (8) murder: Chaos erupts in court as suspect is attacked during proceedings

Emotions flared during today’s heavily policed court proceedings, when Lelethu Nkosana (26) appeared in connection with the brutal murder of Veronique May (8).

Shanti Jafta

|

8 Oct 2025
Man (27) arrested for brutal murder of girl (8) in KwaLanga

A man (27) has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a girl (8) whose body was discovered yesterday, 6 October, in KwaLanga.

Shanti Jafta

|

7 Oct 2025
Man fatally stabbed after accidentally hitting toddler with stone

A house party dispute in Despatch turned deadly when a man was fatally stabbed after accidentally hitting a two-year-old toddler with a thrown stone.

Shanti Jafta

|

6 Oct 2025
Man sentenced to double life terms for murdering councillor, raping girlfriend in front of victim

Butterworth – The Butterworth Regional Court on 3 October sentenced Thembinkosi Dyakophu (39) to two life imprisonment terms for the murder of Mbhashe Local Municipality ward councillor, Mzikayise Saki (45),…

Source:

Reporter

|

6 Oct 2025
Wheelchair-bound man (57) shot dead at KwaNobuhle home

A 57-year-old man was found shot dead in his wheelchair at his KwaNobuhle home yesterday morning, with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Sep 2025
‘I couldn’t keep quiet’: Police chief Mkhwanazi after explosive police corruption allegations

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal police chief, says he was aware that his 6 July press conference exposing alleged criminality and political interference would put him in the crosshairs – but…

Source:

Novus Media

|

18 Sep 2025