Learners of Kayamandi got a back-to-school boost this week with the help of their local councillor and community members.
Councillor Ayanda Tomose contacted local businesspeople and health-care organisations to help provide stationery and motivation to learners at Kayamandi Secondary School on Monday (3 February).
“When it is back-to-school time we like to check in with schools and find what is lacking and try to help,” Tomose said. “But this time I thought about how to address a common need and thanks to sponsors we could provide 300 learners with sanitary pads, stationery and lunch.”
iKhaya and Kayamandi primary schools were also beneficiaries on the day.
Along with the donations, Tomose also arranged for speakers from Right to Care and Nandi Roshe-Mhlakaza, parliamentary constituency office fieldworker, to share information and inspire the learners.
Kayamandi Secondary principal Maphelo Ntshanga believed the investment in the school by locals would help bolster the young people. “This session will definitely help inspire our learners,” he said.
“We have more than 1 000 learners and many come from backgrounds with limited resources.”
Ntshanga added the school community was very positive about the academic year, especially after the increase in matric results. The school had 253 candidates pass, improving the 2023 year’s pass rate of 65,6% to 85,8% in 2024.
“We are in a positive mindset and preparing to have even better results this year,” Ntshanga said.
Beauty Nazo, community healthcare worker, said it was important for Right to Care to be part of the day as young people often do not have vital information about healthcare.
“We are sharing information on TB and HIV as well as family planning. There is lack of information and we are here to have factual conversations with the teens and answer their questions.”
The internet provider Vumatel also attended, to share more on giving learners easier access to internet. Zukisa Xegwana, local business development manager, said hosting a joint venture to reach learners is the first step to success. Working with communities is also important to Xegwana. “Ultimately, the aim is to help all Kayamandi schools have access to fast, unlimited internet access. Internet access was once thought of as a nice to have, but it has since become a basic need for learners. Our schools are no longer inferior.”
Tomose said, thanks to sponsors, he hoped to help more learners in future. “This is the start and I hope to make it broader, bringing hope to our children.”
