R2m gift for township school

Thanks to an investment, a bigger pre-primary school has opened the doors of learning in Kayamandi.

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Cape Town - Usually grandmothers – or gogos as they are known in the townships – take care of children before they head to school.

But now, thanks to a R2 million investment, a bigger pre-primary school has opened the doors of learning in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch.

Accolade Wines, as part of their investment in township schools, poured the money into the development of four new classrooms, two storerooms and a number of toilets at the Kayamandi Pre-Primary School.

Kayamandi resident Zuziwe Galadla, 65, said she was overwhelmed after hearing that people were building their children’s school. “I can’t walk properly but I made sure I will attend this ceremony because of people who are thinking about our children’s future. We can’t afford the expensive (private) pre-schools, so we stay with our children till they are old enough to attend primary school.”

School principal,Mpumelelo Mdekazi was happy that the pupils would move into new classrooms from the mobile classrooms they used to use.

On Wednesday, Grade R pupil Athenkosi Menyo, 6, said he was very excited to have new books and pencils because he will be able to write his name.

James Reid, Accolade Wines general manager for bulk sourcing and South African operations, said the school was opened to educate children aged five and six.

He said they built the school to accommodate the children of employees who work in the region’s wine industry.

“We are funding Grade R because we see education is the need in this area and we want children to have a better environment and not attend school in shipping containers that are cold in winter and hot in summer.”

The provincial head of the Department of Education, Penny Vinjevold, said:

“The demand is high for us to build proper schools.

“There are many children coming from far away and we need to accommodate them as well.”

porchia.olifant@inl.co.za

Cape Argus