New uniforms for Tshukutswe learners on Mandela Day

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union Investment Holding Company (SIHOLD) – SADTU’s investment arm , together with the Union, “Inspired change and made every day a Mandela Day” with a donation of uniforms to learners of Tshukutswe High School in Ga-Matlala Village in Limpopo yesterday. All 240 learners from the school received jerseys, socks, pens and rulers The school is an underperforming school that was adopted by SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke in 2011. The handover of uniforms was attended by SIHOLD CEO Thami Nompula, SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke, members of the National Working Committee, learners and parents. SADTU Provincial Secretary Matome Raphasha advised the learners to take education seriously like the ailing statesman Nelson Mandela, if they wanted to improve their lives. “Mandela put education first and he worked hard to be where he is today.” Raphasha said in a packed hall, adding that the teachers and parents wanted the best out of the learners. “As parents, let us give these children better things, so that tomorrow they will look after us. Only a good education will benefit us both,” he concluded. School Governing Body member Lucy Ramoroka (60) gave her heartfelt gratitude to SADTU for visiting the school - on Mandela’s birthday – and called on God to bless the union. She also encouraged the learners to study hard and be educated in various fields. “We want to see you educated because education is a shield against poverty,” she said. Ramaroka also appealed to the community not to vandalize the school. While the day was great, it was SIHOLD CEO Nompula who stole the occasion. He declared that SIHOLD was planning to refurbish the school with more than a million rands next year. “People we are committed on our side, this school needs two million to be refurbished. Next year we will have a budget to fix it. Promise me that you are going to look after it,” he appealed to the community and learners. In the spirit of Mandela Day SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke said he wished that the whole day and not 67 minutes could be dedicated to voluntary work. He quoted Pakistani school girl and education activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot by Taliban gunmen for fighting for women and girls’ rights to education; “One girl, one teacher, one pen can change the World,” Maluleke said. He said that to motivate the learners to be better people in future and to appreciate the fact that they were attending school while other children are not freely attending school in other countries. Maluleke also urged parents to motivate their children to take education seriously