​A 64-year-old Gogo Nomvula Mahlangu was excited when she received a phone a call from the Gauteng Department of Social Development officials during school holidays telling her that her granddaughter will be getting a free school uniform and dignity pack from the Department through its Bana Pele Programme.
Bana Pele is a Government program where the departments provide a basket of services to pupils who come from impoverished families. These include school uniforms, dignity packs, school nutrition, scholar transport, and health services.

When schools reopened last week, Mahlangu from Evaton in Sedibeng, was one of the parents and guardians who came to witness, their children receive school uniform and dignity packs from the Gauteng Social Development and Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, MEC Mbali Hlophe.

She said “December is time for family gatherings where they celebrate Christmas, but, in my case, I was stressed due to financial problems. During exams, I could see that my granddaughter’s school unform does not fit her anymore and I did not have money to buy the new uniform.

“However, the good Samaritan, which is the Gauteng Department of Social Development, came to my rescue by giving my granddaughter uniform and the best gift ever,” added Mahlangu.

She said the connection between her, and her granddaughter was strong since they shared names and surnames. Therefore, she doesn’t want to see her suffering.

Mahlangu and her husband are raising Nomvula Jnr despite the challenges of money. However, she said they would make sure that she doesn’t go to bed on an empty stomach.

She adds that they are both pensioners and state pension grants they receive are not enough to take care of everything in the house. Mahlangu said they use their grants to pay for stokvels, burial societies, and their granddaughter’s education, which is a priority.

“Although we don’t want her to see that we are pulling hard, we make sure that everything that has to do with education we attend to it immediately. At least, the school provides a feeding scheme for learners like my granddaughter. But when we receive our grants, we try to give her money to buy food at school. I also asked the tuck-shop owner to give her food on credit, and we pay month end” she sobs.

Mahlangu said it was an honor to be part of the parents who came to witness their children receive school uniforms, and she also thanked the department for taking care of the vulnerable. She hopes the department will continue to support the needy.

Nomvula Jnr said her school uniform was no longer fitting her, but her grandmother did promise her that she was going to make a plan.

“To our surprise, an official from the department called and told Gogo that I will receive school uniform in January when the school reopens. We enjoyed Christmas without stressing, and I am going to make sure that I don’t disappoint my grandparents,” she said.