The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s uniform collection drive received another boost today with donations from the Boardwalk, Schaeffler SA and Property Group Uitenhage/Despatch.
The Boardwalk gave R10 000, Schaeffler SA donated R10 000 worth of school clothing and shoes and the Property Group Uitenhage/Despatch also contributed uniforms and school shoes.
This brings the donations received so far to almost R65 000 in cash and the end is nigh as the goal to give at least 10 000 learners school shoes continues. This goal is still a drop in the ocean as the need is much greater.
Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile together with business leaders will once again bare their feet and beg for school shoes and uniforms at the Greenacres Shopping Centre from 11:00 on Saturday, 4 February.
On Saturday, January 28 the bare feet charm offensive worked well as the Executive Mayor and his team managed to collect 94 pairs of shoes, 36 shirts and nine pants as well as close to R8 000 in cash at the Walmer Park and Cleary Park Shopping Centres.
Ms Bongi Siwisa, Chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts, said the uniform drive is a very important initiative by the Executive Mayor.
“I believe that the campaign being run by the Local Government is the right platform to spearhead something of this nature, and as political leaders they must be seen as the drivers of such initiatives in the communities. It also restores public confidence in government.
“Having the proper school attire also fits in with discipline, and it is about creating an identity for that learner. We want to be able to make a difference and allow children who don’t have a school uniform or shoes the opportunity to fit in and be happy,” Siwisa added.
Ms Charmaine Potgieter, the Rainbow Nation Club Outreach Coordinator of Schaeffler SA, said: “It is always wonderful to be part of such initiatives that empowers the underprivileged. We are proud to be a part of any upliftment in the community.”
The Schaeffler SA group adopted Kwazakhele High School and started with upgrades at the school.
Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile, who himself had to walk bare feet for 20 kilometers to school daily, said that nothing can be as noble as to pledge human solidarity and to reach out to the most destitute section of our people.
“I want to thank my energetic staff within the institution, as well as the entire Education Task Team, for their hard work and dedication. Without a team effort and passion this project would not have been this fruitful.
“I thank the general public and companies who have contributed; you are all ambassadors of this campaign.
“This campaign has managed to unite people from all sectors of society, and crossed the barrier lines of race, culture and political preference.
“The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is setting a trend both provincially and nationally, by starting an initiative of this type. We are encouraging all spheres of government to unite and dedicate their commitment to education,” Mayor Wayile said.
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Pity the ANC elite didn’t drop their salaries to the level of what they are actually worth – then there’d be BILLIONS available to take care of the poor.
Difficult to drop down any levels when you are sitting on a report detailing the city’s ‘misspent millions’