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 78

Top

Stepfather accused of murdering stepson appeared in court

Shelton Human (52), appeared in court for allegedly murdering his stepson Leewin Human (18), during a domestic dispute. He remains in custody until June 5 for formal bail hearing.

Shanti Jafta

|

28 May 2025
Boyfriend sentenced to 25 years for setting girlfriend alight in jealous rage

A 31-year-old Motlatsi Mpharu was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on May 23 at the Sterkspruit Regional Court for attempted murder after he tied his then girlfriend, 22-year-old Mpho Kutoana,…

Source:

Mthatha Express

|

28 May 2025
Police continue to show presence in Addo

Tensions remain high in Addo due to ongoing violence against foreign nationals following a local murder. Police are investigating and providing shelter for stranded foreign nationals.

Correspondent

|

27 May 2025
Malema vows to keep chanting controversial song

South Africa’s firebrand opposition leader on Saturday vowed to keep using controversial chants that featured in a contentious White House meeting between the US and South African presidents. During talks…

Source:

AFP

|

27 May 2025
Uitenhage Airfield under threat as cattle roam runways

The Uitenhage Airfield faces safety risks due to abandoned fencing, allowing livestock to roam runways, endangering aviation and highlighting urgent needs for intervention and animal control.

Nkosazana Ngwadla

|

22 May 2025
Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington

Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead outside a D.C. museum in a suspected antisemitic attack, sparking global outrage and condemnation.

Source:

AFP/ Ben Sheppard

|

22 May 2025
Traffic Alert: Protest action on R75 towards Jansenville

Avoid R75 to Jansenville: Protests have blocked the road since early morning following the Sunday murder of a local resident in street shooting.

Source:

Chriszanne Janse van Vuuren

|

20 May 2025
Two accidents on R102 claims three lives in the Eastern Cape

Three people died in two separate accidents on the R102 in Eastern Cape on May 17. Both incidents occurred near the Humansdorp area, leaving multiple others injured.

Source:

Kouga Express

|

19 May 2025
Graaff-Reinet and Nieu Bethesda gear up for second Sibling Stoep Tasting Weekend

The Karoo Wine Club hosts the second Sibling Stoep Tasting Weekend with Graaff-Reinet and Nieu Bethesda Tourism on 16 and-17 May in both Karoo towns.

Source:

Chriszanne Janse van Vuuren

|

16 May 2025
At South Africa’s top farm fair, Afrikaners are divided over Trump

South Africans have spoken their minds about “refugees” at Nampo.

Source:

AFP

|

16 May 2025