Charity begins at home and this was proven yesterday when the minister of defence visited her former high school in Cacadu (formerly known as Lady Frere) bearing a R210000 cheque.
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula spent the afternoon yesterday at one of the province’s oldest schools, Mount Arthur Girls’ High, as part of her ministry’s 67 minutes for Mandela campaign.
Nqakula said the department adopted the school in 2013 and that raising the amount donated yesterday was just one of the many things that they had been doing for the school.
“When we visited in 2013 the one thing that was really glaring was the school’s seriously dilapidated state and we are here today only to find things are a bit worse,” said Nqakula.
She said she hoped the money would help towards creating a more conducive teaching environment.
“This school has about 500 pupils, 300 or more of those are boarders, which makes me wonder how they accommodate all those girls. When I was a pupil here, we were not that many, so we want to help with the development of this school and its pupils,” she said.
Yesterday’s donation was raised by the South African National Defence Industry Council which is comprised of the Department of Defence, the SA National Defence Force and Armaments Corporation of South Africa. When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the school, the team noticed a burnt out building, which was identified as the staff room that had caught fire two months ago due to an electrical fault.
Nqakula said since adopting the school a number of refurbishments have been made by the department and said she would be committing soldiers to renovate the burnt building.
The school principal Vuyisile Mtolo said the school faced many structural challenges but was still able to produce an impressive matric pass rate.
He said it was his vision to see the school flourish and reach the same level as Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy and Diocesan School for Girls.
“It’s very comforting to know that we have the minister’s attention and the cash injection is exciting, any amount of money we get always goes a long way in helping us improve the performance of the school,” he said.
Mtolo added that there is always added pressure on historic schools to perform well.
The school’s head girl, Siphokazi Vinjwa, said she hoped the money means that they will finally get the Saturday classes they have been wishing for.
“We did have teachers who were willing to teach us over the weekends but there was no money to pay them so we hope that will change; we really appreciate the efforts and support by the minister and her team,” said Siphokazi. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Defence minister comes to her former school’s rescue
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula spent the afternoon yesterday at one of the province’s oldest schools, Mount Arthur Girls’ High, as part of her ministry’s 67 minutes for Mandela campaign.
Nqakula said the department adopted the school in 2013 and that raising the amount donated yesterday was just one of the many things that they had been doing for the school.
“When we visited in 2013 the one thing that was really glaring was the school’s seriously dilapidated state and we are here today only to find things are a bit worse,” said Nqakula.
She said she hoped the money would help towards creating a more conducive teaching environment.
“This school has about 500 pupils, 300 or more of those are boarders, which makes me wonder how they accommodate all those girls. When I was a pupil here, we were not that many, so we want to help with the development of this school and its pupils,” she said.
Yesterday’s donation was raised by the South African National Defence Industry Council which is comprised of the Department of Defence, the SA National Defence Force and Armaments Corporation of South Africa. When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the school, the team noticed a burnt out building, which was identified as the staff room that had caught fire two months ago due to an electrical fault.
Nqakula said since adopting the school a number of refurbishments have been made by the department and said she would be committing soldiers to renovate the burnt building.
The school principal Vuyisile Mtolo said the school faced many structural challenges but was still able to produce an impressive matric pass rate.
He said it was his vision to see the school flourish and reach the same level as Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy and Diocesan School for Girls.
“It’s very comforting to know that we have the minister’s attention and the cash injection is exciting, any amount of money we get always goes a long way in helping us improve the performance of the school,” he said.
Mtolo added that there is always added pressure on historic schools to perform well.
The school’s head girl, Siphokazi Vinjwa, said she hoped the money means that they will finally get the Saturday classes they have been wishing for.
“We did have teachers who were willing to teach us over the weekends but there was no money to pay them so we hope that will change; we really appreciate the efforts and support by the minister and her team,” said Siphokazi. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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