The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development and Special Programmes in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality handed over school bags filled with brand new uniforms to identified children from five schools on Monday 2 April.
MEC Pemmy Majodina warmed the hearts of 57 children from Qaphelani School, 20 from Ben Sinuka Primary School, 26 from Jarvis Gqamlana Primary School, 53 from Charles Duna Primary School and 35 from David Vuku School.
When opening the ceremony at the Sizwe Cecil Kapi Hall in New Brighton, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile said yesteray’s event shows that the current government is caring and people centered.
“A nation that does not value its youth does not deserve a brighter future. There is no need to have a lost generation as long as we continue to implement programmes to develop the youth,” he added.
MEC Majodina said that the children must consider themselves as the VIPs of the occasion as the ceremony is being held for them in the hope that they can perform better at school.
“I made a commitment that I will come back to hand over the uniforms and today I am here to do just that,” she added.
The MEC also hailed teachers for the important role they play to educate the youth and reminded the audience of the many responsibilities that a teacher must fulfill in a classroom. “They are not just educators as they also work as social workers to ensure the wellbeing of the children even though some does not even have formal training as social workers,” she added.
More school bags, packed with uniforms, will be handed over to identified children from schools in the Uitenhage area today at 10:00 am from the Babs Madlakane Hall in KwaNobuhle.
Editors Notes: I agree with your statement Mayor Wayile and wish to add to it – the people in power value the youth in a social contract that demands that they perform well in school and grow up to contribute meaningfully to our country and it’s well being.
