orphans
17 July 2007
To Mbali Mthembu (not her real name) school is a much better place in the
new term, no longer does she have to put up a brave face when she goes to
school in plain clothes. She is now the owner of a brand new uniform, sponsored
by Toyota South Africa.
The pleasure of handing over school jerseys, tunics, shoes, ties, trousers
and socks to 47 happy and proud young children belonged to KwaZulu-Natal
Education MEC Ina Cronjé, Public Works MEC Lydia Johnson and Kitty Sokhela,
Toyota South Africa's head of Social and Community Development.
The handover at three schools in the Umzumbe, Vulamehlo and Umdoni
municipalities followed a commitment made by the four women MECs in the
KwaZulu-Natal cabinet. They were touched by the plight of vulnerable children
and orphans, while visiting homes in the Ugu district last year when parliament
was taken to the people.
MEC Cronjé praised the generosity of Toyota South Africa: "It is this kind
of commitment to our children and their needs that we really appreciate. We
thank Toyota on behalf of our children and the community. You have made a
difference in the lives of our children."
MEC Johnson said they wanted to express their love and care to the children.
"This indeed is long outstanding as we should have returned sometime in the
beginning of the year. We decided that even though there is only two of us, me
and the MEC for Education, Ina Cronje (who is a mother to approximately 2,7 m
learners in this province), would come on behalf of other women MECs to make a
difference in the lives of these learners."
The uniforms are part of Toyota South Africa's primary school social
investment programme. According to Sokhela primary school education is the
primary focus of the company's social investment programme.
"Through our Toyota Teach Primary School Project, we engage with some 10 to
15 schools annually with a view to improving the effectiveness of the schools
through a three year programme involving the development of the school
management team, school governing body and educators. In addition the school
mentoring programme now seeks to include learners as direct beneficiaries. Our
support of the Umbumbulu School Uniform Project initiated by the four MECs is
very much in line with this approach and the schools, and particularly the
learners, chosen to receive the uniforms are indicative of the great need in
rural areas. It was therefore a privilege for Toyota South Africa to be a
partner in this worthy initiative."
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
17 July 2007
