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 13

Top

Traffic light failures continue to plague Kariega CBD

Safety concerns in Kariega’s CBD worsen as traffic lights remain mostly non-functional, prompting calls for urgent municipal action to prevent accidents.

Shanti Jafta

|

4 May 2026
Government pays tribute to workers as opposition highlights unemployment crisis

South Africa’s Workers’ Day recognized workforce contributions amid high unemployment, prompting contrasting views on job creation and governance effectiveness.

Source:

Staff Reporter

|

1 May 2026
President Ramaphosa sets local government elections for 4 November

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced today that South Africa’s local government elections will be held on 4 November.

Source:

Lise Beyers

|

30 Apr 2026
Postbank services end at Post Office branches from May

Postbank customers will lose access to SAPO banking services from May 1, following the completion of Postbank’s separation from the Post Office.

Source:

Staff Reporter

|

30 Apr 2026
Mugabe’s son sentenced for firearm offences, co-accused jailed for shooting security guard

The son of late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has been sentenced to pay heavy fines or face imprisonment after pleading guilty to pointing a firearm.

Source:

Staff Reporter

|

29 Apr 2026
Gqeberha SANCCOB responds to surge in abandoned penguin chicks

SANCCOB’s Gqeberha centre is battling record penguin abandonments driven by extreme heat, food shortages and flooding in the Eastern Cape.

Source:

PE Express

|

28 Apr 2026
NMBM rejects circulating rumours about contaminated water in Despatch

Residents in Despatch are advised to boil water due to E. coli detection, while the municipality assures water safety and combats misinformation.

UD Express

|

23 Apr 2026
Justice Cecil Somyalo honoured for reshaping Eastern Cape judiciary

From unpaid interpreter in a rural village to reshaping South Africa’s judiciary—Justice Somyalo’s journey reflects quiet determination.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

23 Apr 2026
Spinal patient endures year-long wait for care at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital

Magrietha Justus advocates for better healthcare after suffering long waits and inadequate treatment at an alleged failing public hospital system.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Apr 2026
Police commissioner appears in court over R228 million tender scandal

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has appeared in court on four charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

Source:

Lise Beyers

|

21 Apr 2026