News Update – Speaker donates school shoes to disadvantaged learners
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Click here to download the PDF for News Update 21 June 2013
The Speaker of Mangaung Metro Municipality, Clr Mxolisi Siyonzana, was warmly welcomed by learners of Gonyane Primary School on Wednesday, 19 June, where he donated school shoes to some of the learners.
Accompanied by Ward 4 Councillor, Mme Nonkosi Khi and Ward Committee Members, the speaker handed over 20 pairs of school shoes and committed to return to the school with 150 pairs of shoes after winter school holidays.
Gonyane School was chosen because there are many children from disadvantaged families, with most staying in Bergman Square and Phase 4.
In his address, Clr Siyonzana reminded learners of the pre-democratic situation in the schools, the then government did not care as to whether learners had food or proper school infrastructure.
In order to inspire the learners, the speaker related a story of his visit in India of how he saw the bad state of schools in the country, yet they still manage to produce some of the best engineers in the world, which means you can succeed despite your conditions.
“This proves that through hard work and dedication, you can succeed irrespective of your background and become leaders in different facets of life,” the Speaker said.
To the delight of the learners and their educators, Clr Siyonzana said some private sector companies have indicated to him that they would like to partner with the city in order to accelerate community development; and that he would pursue the matter further to see whether they can provide computers or laptops to the schools.
The school principal, Mme Chabeli said the gesture by the city will go a long way in motivating her learners to do their best and work even harder.
“There are children with no shoes at all at the school, but still attend even under those difficult circumstances,” she said.
Councillor Khi also thanked the Speaker for sourcing school shoes for the school that is situated in her Ward as this would encourage learners