To encourage two township pupils to work harder and succeed, a former local has promised to support them in any way he can, for as long as he can.
To encourage two township pupils to work harder and succeed, a former local has promised to support them in any way he can, for as long as he can.
The man who once received similar help returned to his hometown last week to pass on the gift that keeps on giving – education.
Last Tuesday at Fikizolo Higher Primary School Nolusindiso Vuso, in Grade 6, and Sibabalo Steven, Grade 7, received new school uniforms, bags, sports takkies and other items to help them on their way to success.
Twelve-year-old Nolusindiso said before receiving these clothes and things she had nothing, but now she can be like the other pupils.
"I am very happy and I promise that I will work hard," she said.
Nolusindiso wishes to one day become a lawyer.
The outspoken and enthusiastic Sibabalo said the unexpected gesture would change his life in many ways. "I did not even have training shoes," he said.
"When I play soccer with my friends I wear my school shoes, but this will now change. I am very thankful, I was surprised and I really did not expect this. "Now I can reach my dream of becoming a scientist."
These generous donations came from former New Town resident and Fikizolo pupil Thembela Kepe who is now based in Toronto, Canada.
He has undertaken to support the two pupils in any way he can while they're still at Fikizolo.
Kepe is currently here on holiday and says he was touched when he saw township school children walk past in torn shoes and without jerseys in the cold.
"When I started I wanted to sponsor two learners from Fikizolo every year.
Although my commitment is to Fikizolo, I wouldn't want to abandon the kids if they continue to do well after that," Kepe said.
Depending on how much he has to give and the pupils' progress in their academic endeavours, Kepe says he will support and mentor the kids and show them where to get help, at the very least.
Kepe says township pupils generally don't know where to find the right help. "I actually studied through scholarships and bursaries from my undergrad up until I got my doctorate," he said.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail shortly after the handover at the school, Nolusindiso's grandmother Nothobile Thame expressed her immense gratitude to Kepe and the school.
"I'm very thankful, I rushed here from my job so I could say thank you in person," she said.
Teacher Nkoli Makhubalo said the school was very thankful, and that Kepe was a good example to others.
It's encouraging to see a former pupil ploughing his personal resources back into his school, she said.
"This is not just for the school, but for the children because they live under difficult circumstances," Makhubalo said.
"And who knows? Maybe they would have been drop outs if it wasn't for something like this."
Makhubalo said Kepe's actions had even encouraged the school to do more for the children.
Kepe humbly refrained from giving more details about himself to this reporter, as he said he wanted the story to focus on the children.
He did however say he was happy the teachers embraced his idea, adding that he too was encouraged by their response.
