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 » Sport » Page 2

Sport

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
Bofbalspeler van Kariega help SA om Afrika-titel te wen

Ruaan van HTS Daniel Pienaar was een van Suid-Afrika se groot uitblinkers wat die Afrika-titel vir o.15-bofbalspanne in Nairobi gewen het.

Hannes Schoeman

|

15 Jan 2026
Youngest kickboxer awarded global black belt

Sofia Khan (14), earned her black belt at Strydom’s Kickboxing Academy, becoming the youngest WAKO-affiliated kickboxer in Eastern Cape.

UD Express

|

20 Nov 2025
Decaying sports infrastructure sparks concerns in Kariega, Despatch

Kariega’s and Despatch’s sports facilities are increasingly neglected, impacting athletes and allegedly contributing to rising crime rates, prompting calls for urgent maintenance and community support.

Shanti Jafta

|

30 Oct 2025
Jong rugbyspeler hou Despatch se naam hoog in Frankryk

Tristan Karele (23), ‘n rugbyspeler met Despatch-bloed in sy are, speel tans die wêreld aan die brand in Frankryk vir Causse Vézère.

Hannes Schoeman

|

30 Oct 2025
Plaaslike stoeiklubs is elk twee SA kampioene ryker

Dit is omtrent ‘n merkwaardige prestasie om in uiters strawwe kompetisie landwyd vier goue medaljes terug te bring huis toe.

Hannes Schoeman

|

23 Oct 2025
14-year-old sets new standards in school sports

Carlisle Maree, a 14-year-old sports prodigy, excels in cricket and rugby, earning accolades and recognition for his outstanding performances and promising future in school sports.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Oct 2025
Gqeberha learners excel at Amateur Wrestling Championship

Deoleen Stuurman, of Tjaart van der Walt Primary School, and Stefan Roberts of Framesby High, were the toast of the Eastern Province team.

Source:

Hannes Schoeman

|

22 Oct 2025
Despatch Athletics Club makes big move for men’s cancer awareness

Despatch Athletics Club is participating in the 2025 Hollard Daredevil Run on 31 October, promoting prostate cancer awareness while fundraising for essential screenings and education.

UD Express

|

17 Oct 2025
Four days of faith and fellowship in Kariega

The 80-Hour Faith Ride, hosted by HVH Church in Kariega from 24-27 September, aims to unite the community through sport, worship, and activities supporting local causes.

Shanti Jafta

|

15 Sep 2025