KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Head of Treasury, Mr Smiso Magagula who is also the HOD Champion of eThekwini Metro together with eThekwini Speaker, Cllr Logie Naidoo, visited three schools this morning with the aim of donating school shoes and socks as per Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) intervention to the needy children.
Needy children were identified through a profiling exercise in schools located in very poor areas of eThekwini. Through the service delivery vehicle OSS, more than 100 vulnerable learners were identified from Ntwenhle High in Folweni, and Gijima & Bhekaphambili Primary Schools in Lamontville to receive per of school shoes and socks.
Magagula encouraged younger boys and girls to persevere and never to give up on education as it is the only thing that can get them out of the cycle of poverty inherited from the past generations. He spoke in detail about social ills and told them to stay away from drugs, sexual activities, and to focus on their studies.
“We are so excited to put a smile to the faces of our vulnerable children and we will continue to assist as much as possible where we possible can because we are a caring government. As part of OSS we came here to contribute something small as a token, but yet so useful to kids who will be receiving it. As a person with firsthand experience of going to school without shoes in winter, I know exactly the pain that comes with that, as it can be so uncomfortable” said Magagula.
“The main aim of this programme is to assist the poorest of the poor throughout the wards. It doesn’t have to be the school uniform, it can be anything that will make a difference to the needy including assisting them with issuing of identification documentation, food parcels for those who can’t afford food and anything that can alleviate poverty” continues Magagula.
Naidoo said that most children take a long walk to school and these pair of shoes goes a long way to make that walk a comfortable walk. “Because of poverty many of our children take long walks to school. Children are our future; we must ensure that they are in a conducive environment to study so that they can expand their potential and become our potential future leaders”.
Most of the recipients were from child-headed households and were in high spirits to receive gift that will assist them in their long journey of life.
For more information please contact:
Ntokozo Maphisa
Cell: 082 773 0937
