Five needy pupils were handed full school uniforms by officials of the department of correctional services (DCS) during a surprise visit at Mdisa Primary School, in at Mmgqesha near King William’s Town, last Wednesday.
Avuyile Nelani, 8, Siyamthanda Mboniswa, 10, Ayabonga Tomose, 9, and twins Palisa and Siyamthanda Ngcombela, 8, were recipients of new school uniforms and shoes.
King William’s Town community corrections head Landezwa Ngwabane and her team of officials conducted the back-to-school campaign, an initiative which aimed to give offenders the opportunity to give back to the communities they have wronged throughby painting and cleaning of schools.
They were accompanied by Surgeon Tom who retired from the service in December last month. His family handed over a donation to the department during his farewell function.
“This school was identified as one of the schools in the rural areas that are in need of assistance because of the its poor condition,” Ngwabane said.
“During the visit at the school, it was also noted that there are learners that pupils who are coming from disadvantaged families who don’t have school uniforms and with the generous and kind donation done by Tom, this office managed to buy the uniforms,” Ngwabane added.
An elated Mdisa principal, Mthobeli Boqwana, said: “I am short of words to thank King William’s Town prison for such a wonderful gift to our needy kids at the beginning of the year.
“We, as the school governing body, parents and the community of Ngqwele Location are truly grateful for the gesture shown by Ngwabane and her team and also to Tom who will be missed tremendously by the school,” he said.
Tom told the GO! he almost burst nearly bursts into tears when he saw the abundance of smiles on the faces of the kids and their parents.
“I truly know the kids appreciate their new uniforms and my wish is to see them progressing and although I have retired from the department, I will continue with this programme for the rest of my life as it is the way I am doing my ministry,” he said
