Learners in uMkhanyakude, in the uMtubatuba region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, received a boost at the start of the school year when the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, led a back-to-school campaign.
In partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and the Izimpande Foundation, the Deputy Minister on Tuesday delivered 132 new school shoes to Bathathe and Mfekayi primary schools.
Both schools are no-fee institutions that provide accessible, quality education to their communities.
These schools are pivotal in uplifting the Mtubatuba region by fostering educational growth and opportunities for young learners.
Gina reaffirmed her belief that every learner deserves the necessary resources to thrive academically.
The Deputy Minister also extended her efforts to KwaNxusa High School in the uMthonjaneni Municipality and Qantayi High School in the uMhlathuze Municipality, where she donated essential stationery earlier this month.
Inspired by her initiative, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and the Izimpande Foundation partnered with the Deputy Minister to expand the campaign and provide much-needed school shoes.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education District Director, Thanduyise Motha, emphasised that providing children with adequate resources from the foundation phase sets a strong base for their academic success.
He said uMkhanyakude has risen to become KwaZulu-Natal’s top-performing district for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Class of 2024, securing the third spot nationally.
Motha said when he was first appointed to the position, the district was ranked 75th countrywide, highlighting the incredible progress made in improving educational outcomes in the region.
Referring to the donation of school shoes, Motha said the gesture helps to contribute to the excellent pass rate in the district, which motivates learners to study further and harder.
He believes that this also motivates teachers to commit more to the success of the learners.
“This shows that government delivers on its promises at the basic education level, and I thank the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation for gracing us with this much-needed support,” Motha said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister expressed her gratitude to the private sector for its role in the initiative.
“I thank the private sector for partnering with government in this initiative to positively impact our children, planting a seed from which the learners will reap benefits for their future,” she said.
During her interaction with the learners, Gina was inspired by their ambitions, as some learners expressed aspirations of becoming doctors, while another learner shared his dream of pursuing a career as a social worker.
The Deputy Minister encouraged all learners to stay committed to their studies and thanked parents for their essential role in supporting their children’s education.
Izimpande Foundation’s Sihle Ngobese highlighted the importance of supporting male learners in society, an initiative that led to the formation of the non-profit organisation in 2019, and the donation of school resources to various schools around the country.
“The idea of donating school resources is more than anything personal, where I was even assisted by someone I did not even know (sic). This planted a seed in me that I will also help others, just as I was helped.”
The principals of both schools expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation.
They both expressed hopes for continued support to further improve their school infrastructure and educational resources for the betterment of their learners.
The back-to-school campaign underscored the transformative power of partnerships in addressing challenges faced by underprivileged learners and ensuring they have the tools and support needed to excel in their education.
