Waterval Boven Embraces Being The Change They Want to See In School Clean-Up

BY PRECIOUS MUPENZI

Waterval Boven community members in Mpumalanga province, alongside Correctional Services parolees, came together to clean Imemeza Secondary School, fostering a conducive environment for teaching and learning. The initiative, part of a Back to School Clean-Up campaign, was a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Development and the Department of Correctional Services. It formed a segment of the weeklong Ministerial outreach programme by the Department of Social Development (DSD).

Minister Lindiwe Zulu, accompanied by Mpumalanga MEC of Education Bonakele Majuba, visited the school as part of the outreach program. The Minister has been engaging with the community in different areas of Emakhazeni Local Municipality to address service delivery challenges and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

In the spirit of being the change they wish to see, the Waterval Boven community actively participated in the clean-up campaign. Concurrently, DCS parolees worked on cleaning the school premises, refurbishing broken desks, and tending to school infrastructure and the vegetable garden.

The visit followed the Minister’s interaction with teenage mothers at the SASSA Local Office in Emakhazeni. During this encounter, she encouraged them to return to school when the 2024 academic year begins, emphasising the pivotal role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Thokozile Masuku, a grade 8 learner, expressed gratitude for the clean-up efforts, highlighting the importance of education in personal, social, and economic development. She aspired to become a Neurologist, underscoring education as a crucial element in individual growth.

Mrs. Charlotte Maunye, the school’s principal, echoed Masuku’s appreciation and confirmed the school’s readiness to receive learners. Addressing challenges, she mentioned ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse by engaging with learners and emphasised the need for community involvement.

“It went very well; the school is ready to receive learners,” said Maunye, who has been with the school since 2022. Discussing challenges faced by the school, she highlighted ongoing efforts to address drug abuse, emphasising the need for community involvement.

“We are trying our level best to talk to the learners. It is a social issue and it’s difficult to tackle without the community’s help because it is a societal issue, and our children mirror the communities they are in,” concluded Maunye.