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 » Top » Page 10

Top

WATCH: Kamesh residents protest after 10 days of electricity outages in Kariega

Residents of Kamesh precinct protested after ten days of intermittent electricity outages, highlighting dissatisfaction with service delivery and municipal response.

Shanti Jafta

|

13 May 2026
N2 partially reopened following hazardous oil spillage near Kei Cuttings

Oil residue and hazardous conditions remain on parts of the N2 near Kei Cuttings after an overturned tanker caused a major spillage overnight.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

13 May 2026
Experts warn of danger as flood-swept snakes wash up on Jeffreys Bay beaches

Experts have warned residents to avoid handling snakes washed ashore after recent Kouga floods left wildlife displaced and injured.

Source:

Razaan Plaatjies

|

12 May 2026
Gale-force winds batter Kariega, damaging homes, infrastructure

Nelson Mandela Bay faces dangerous winds causing damage; authorities assist affected residents while urging caution and securing properties.

UD Express

|

11 May 2026
Mthatha attorney sentenced for theft of R780 000 in trust funds

Mthatha attorney Vuyani Gwebindlala (57) has been sentenced for misappropriating R780 000 in trust funds linked to a 2008 property transaction.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

11 May 2026
Komani Hawks arrest Department of Agriculture Clerk for alleged theft of public funds

A Komani-based Department of Agriculture clerk, 57, has been arrested by the Hawks for allegedly stealing R60 000 in public funds.

Source:

Komani Karoo Express

|

11 May 2026
Kouga floods: 250 residents displaced as municipality races to reopen roads and restore power

Roads damaged, bridges washed away and 250 residents displaced as Kouga Municipality battles the aftermath of devastating floods.

Source:

Kouga Express

|

11 May 2026
Markets rattled as US, Iran clash in Hormuz

The US was awaiting Iran’s response to its latest proposed peace deal, after both sides accused the other of triggering an overnight clash.

Source:

AFP teams in Tehran, Washington, Rome and Dubai

|

8 May 2026
Ramaphosa ‘respects’ court judgement, EFF vows to fight relentlessly

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he respects the Constitutional Court’s judgement and reaffirmed his commitment to the Constitution.

Source:

Amy Lé-Semper

|

8 May 2026
NSRI sounds alarm over Kromme River as floods leave trail of destruction

NSRI St Francis Bay warns the public to stay away from the Kromme River as flooding continues to wreak havoc across the Kouga municipal area.

Source:

Kouga Express

|

8 May 2026