It was all smiles for 200 learners who received school uniform and dignity packs which were presented by MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment as part of the Gauteng Schools Reopening programme on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 .
MEC Mbali Hlophe spent the morning at Katleho-Impumelelo Secondary School and at a nearby Early Childhood Centre (ECD), Bulamadiboho in Sebokeng Zone 11.
The School Management was engaged to understand their teaching and learning challenges. Learners were also encouraged to focus on education as it will open doors for them. Furthermore, learners were strongly encouraged to stay far away from drugs.
About 200 learners from Katleho-Impumelelo Secondary School in Sebokeng received school uniform and 390 dignity packs for vulnerable and orphaned children from the Gauteng Provincial Government.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment partnered  with Al-Imdaad Foundation to provide help to those less fortunate. The initiative forms part of a basket of services of the Bana Pele Programme to ensure that children from vulnerable families acquire school uniform to facilitate access to education.
MEC Mbali Hlophe said that education is the most powerful instrument that can empower and change the mindsets of the young people for the better. "We are here to distribute school uniform to the learners, as government we value education, and we know that it is only through education that our people can fight the scourge of poverty and inequality.
It does not matter where you come from, education offers you an opportunity to determine your future. This school can produce future leaders such as a President, Actuarial Scientists and Lawyers " said MEC Mbali Hlophe.
Hlophe said Bana Pele is critical for both children and parents as it enables children to perform better in schools, restores dignity, improves the quality of education, and allows learners focus on their education. She further urged parents to support learners in their studies as that will contribute positively to the future of South Africa.
The school principal Lucas Nqakalani said the visit by government at the school is not only a social relief but will also serve as a motivation for the learners.
The school uniform packs distributed by Gauteng Government, which is part of the Bana Pele Programme of the province, consists of a pair of shoes, a pair of socks, a jersey, tunic/trouser/skirt, a pack of underwears, a vest, and a bag. Dignity packs contain soap, body lotion, roll-on deodorant, a roll of toilet paper and a pack of sanitary towels.
As part of enhancing food security and to boost school nutrition programme, Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment established a food garden in which seedlings were planted. The school was also given garden tools and 20 trees, some of which were planted today. A clean-up of the school was conducted, and it would be continued in the entire Ward for a period of 30 days.
Government concluded by visiting a nearby Early Childhood Centre Bulamadibuho ECD, where Al-Imdaad Foundation donated toys, chairs, tables, back packs, stationery, and a refrigerator to the centre.