South Africa has three major challenges affecting the lives of our people, namely poverty, unemployment and HIV/Aids. In every black community, more than 80% of the people are without a stable job to earn a decent income.
Unfortunately, learners at school become victims of circumstance as most of them are being raised by single parents or grannies or siblings.
Thanks to the education department for the provision of nutritional programmes in our schools. At least learners are provided with one meal per school day.
Makhoarane Primary School in Dobsonville, Soweto, is dealing with the poverty ravaging our communities by involving all members of the school community: teachers, parents and learners. For many years, teachers at Makhoarane would bring clothes and food for needy children. At times they would buy food or give the children money to buy food of their choice. Parents are encouraged to donate unused uniforms for needy learners, and the learners themselves help to raise money through civvies days et cetera. Some of the money collected is used to buy vegetables and meat bones to prepare food for the needy children.
As a school, we encourage learners to practise the spirit of ubuntu by sharing their food with those who may not have something to eat. The purpose is to address poverty alleviation and to build a team spirit among learners.
As the principal I approached some supermarkets and grocery stores to donate food products to the school. I wrote to different retail managers and the response was overwhelming.
I would like to thank the Spar supermarket in Feather Brook for its willingness to participate in this venture. Every evening at about 7.45pm, I collect all the remaining food from the shop for the needy learners at my school. Some evenings I collect containers full of food and other evenings containers are half full, but I have never once returned home empty-handed. What I appreciate most is that the food is delicious and fresh.
I approached Makro in Strubensvalley in January this year. It embraced the concept with great enthusiasm and is now part of the initiative. To date Makro has donated gift vouchers amounting to R3 000, which were used to buy basic groceries — such as samp, rice, beans and meat — for our learners.
Addressing the problem of poverty is a collective effort that must always be encouraged. If all schools can learn from both the success stories and challenges experienced by other schools, education in South Africa will always be exciting and appreciated by all.
I believe that communities, parents and the school itself, can resolve most of the challenges in our schools.
Tumelo Mabitsela is principal of Makhoarane Primary School in Dobsonville, Soweto