Indigent families in Mqanduli will not have to worry about buying new school uniforms for their children next year, after the Correctional Services Deputy Minister, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, together with financial services company, Old Mutual, handed a full set of school uniform apparel, including school shoes, to 190 learners from various schools in the area.
Holomisa had approached Old Mutual to come on board and assist the destitute learners, after he was approached by the Mqanduli Community Advisory Office, alerting him to the plight of many learners without proper school uniforms in the area.
Old Mutual responded by donating R80 000 towards the purchase of school uniforms for the 190 learners who were identified as most in need of assistance.
“It does not matter where you come from or how humble your beginnings may be. You just need to work hard, stay in school and never forget that whatever you achieve will never be taken away from you by anyone,” said Old Mutual Eastern Cape general manager, Buyisile Koko, while addressing the learners who benefitted from the donation.
Holomisa thanked Old Mutual for responding positively when called to assist saying the donation was because of a fruitful partnership between government, the private sector and civil society.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education also welcomed the donation of school uniforms, saying having proper school uniform boosts the confidence of learners.
“School uniforms give the learners dignity and boost their confidence, and we really appreciate the social service that Old Mutual has extended to these learners, especially here in Mqanduli, which is one of the most impoverished areas within the district,” said the Department of Education OR Tambo Inland district director, Fundiswa Makrwede.
The uniforms were handed over on October 14, at an event hosted at the Mqanduli Multi-purpose Centre.
