Correctional Services donates new school shoes, socks and other essential items to the leaders of tomorrow

Screen Shot 2023-02-21 at 14.08.36The deepening levels of poverty and unemployment, which is further exacerbated by the rising cost of living has left many families destitute and unable to afford basic items, including school uniform for their children.

Through its annual School Readiness Campaign, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) takes pride in shaping the future of South African learners by providing essential items such as uniform to underprivileged school learners, to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected, and as a way of promoting universal access to education.
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On 17 February 2023, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, in partnership with Liberty, donated 400 pairs of school shoes to four primary schools, namely; Pniel, Wes-Eind, Khayamnandi and Groendal in Franschoek, Western Cape. This follows a similar initiative on 06 February, spearheaded by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa and his counterpart from the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Dr Regina Mhaule, who donated 200 pairs of school shoes, socks and other essential items to learners at Marconi Beam and Silver Leaf Primary School in Du Noon, Joe Slovo, also in the Western Cape.
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This community intervention was made possible through the Poverty Alleviation Fund of Goodwood Management Area. During 2022 academic year, DCS through Cape Town Community Corrections committed to a number of additional interventions by deploying probationers to render general maintenance and repairs to school furniture.

Wes-Eind Primary School Principal, Ms Ferrentia September expressed gratitude for this act of benevolence, and hailed the partnership with DCS and other stakeholders, to provide aid to needy learners. “To us, this is a historical moment that will remain in our hearts forever. Coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success,” said September.
Delivering his keynote address, Minister Lamola acknowledged all stakeholders and officials who contributed money from their own pockets to assist the least privileged, saying that the learners will now be able to walk and attend school with dignity. “Through these children, we see a breakdown of racial divisions, and we want them to participate in the building of a better South Africa and better world. I urge you to aspire to be more than ministers; you must dream to be pilots, engineers and sport leaders,” he encouraged the learners.

Liberty Worksite Development Manager, Odwa Mazwi said the collaboration with DCS was possible because of the alignment in the poverty alleviation approach of the two organisations. He said that Liberty conducts a winter shoe drive whereby staff donate around 30 000 shoes annually to deserving learners. “Our involvement in this initiative is pillared on three principles, namely; imagine, it is possible; act with humanity; and do what matters,” said Mazwi.

Silver Leaf Primary School Principal, Nomathemba Vumazonke expressed gratitude to DCS for the investment made, and further encouraged the recipients to emulate the spirit of giving. “May you be a blessing to other kids too, as you all grow older,” she said.

Grade 7 learner from Khayamnandi Primary School, Buhle Ngcingane conveyed thanks and appreciation on behalf of all the beneficiaries for the act of love. She pleaded with the government to put greater impetus in initiatives to address the lack of access to technology, inadequate amenities, and overcrowding in schools.

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