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 21

Top

SAPS Eastern Cape seek dog donations to bolster K9 units

SAPS in the Eastern Cape has issued an urgent appeal to the public for donations of dogs to bolster its K9 units.

Source:

PE Express

|

25 Jan 2026
Riebeek, Brandwag excel in 2025 matric results

Riebeek College achieved a 100% matric pass rate, emphasising quality results, while Hoërskool Brandwag followed closely at 96.6%, showcasing significant academic improvements.

Shanti Jafta

|

23 Jan 2026
EC Education Department mourns teachers killed by dismissed deputy principal

Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade mourns the devastating loss of three female teachers who died in a shooting incident at Ntabankulu Primary School.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

23 Jan 2026
Second teacher dies following Ntabankulu Primary School shooting

Second teacher dies from injuries at Ntabankulu Primary School shooting. Former colleague shot three teachers on 22 January.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

23 Jan 2026
Malema’s political future at stake as he returns to court in firearm discharge case

EAST LONDON – The political future of EFF leader Julius Malema hangs in the balance as he returns to the East London Magistrate’s Court today for pre sentencing in his…

Source:

Rasaad Adams

|

23 Jan 2026
Teacher shot dead, two injured by former colleague at primary school in Qonce township

A former teacher out on bail for sexual assault charges shot and killed one educator and injured two others at a Qonce school before taking his own life.

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

22 Jan 2026
No animals will be put down because of space: SPCA update

SPCA Uitenhage faces eviction by February 2026, but the municipality assures no animal euthanasia owing to space issues, citing a qualified new service provider for care.

Shanti Jafta

|

22 Jan 2026
Minnie kidnapping: Case moved to Regional Court after investigation concludes

Two suspects charged with kidnapping Theresa Minnie for R10 million ransom appeared in court, with one abandoning bail while the other seeks bail application.

Shanti Jafta

|

21 Jan 2026
Eastern Cape leads SA road safety turnaround with biggest festive season drop

Eastern Cape leads nation with highest reduction in festive season road fatalities, marking a remarkable turnaround for the province.

Source:

PE Express

|

21 Jan 2026
Bergsig-sportfees lok 81 spanne

Maak gereed om 81 sportspanne op 27 en 28 Februarie in aksie te sien tydens Bergsig Skool se gewilde Build It-sportfees.

Hannes Schoeman

|

15 Jan 2026