Computer gifts for PE schools

By Jimmy Matyu

A COMMUNITY organisation has donated computers and printers to township schools.

Ubuntu Education Fund also provides a shack school at the Joe Slovo informal settlement with lunches every day. Ubuntu has also made financial grants of R1 000 each to Mnyanda Primary, Jarvis Gqamlana Primary, Msengeni Primary, Khanyo Youth Group and Enkuselweni Place of Safety.

The fund’s South African president Gcobani Zonke said Ubuntu was formed in 1998 when his education adviser, Malizole Banks Gwaxula and an American volunteer student Jacob Lief met and stayed together for three months in New Brighton.

He said during those three months they set up a programme where pupils in Ndzondelelo High School in Zwide were trained in mathematics and science and in turn, the pupils were required to teach the young ones from Emfundweni Primary School.

“After the three months Jacob, who is our president in America, went back to the University of Pennsylvania to further his studies. He collected R40 000 which he sent to South Africa for educational purposes,” he said.

He said from those funds Ndzondelelo and Emfundweni benefited by receiving chairs, chalk, overhead projectors and radios. Emfundweni , Ndzondelelo, Sivuyiseni Intermediate, KwaMagxaki High, Kwazakhele High, Kama Primary and Ben Nyathi received computers and printers.

Mr Zonke said the organisation had recruited 12 health educators from Red Cross to put in place the Mpilolwazi Aids programme, currently operating in 20 schools.

He said the fund’s third project was the Siyafunda library initiative, aimed at meeting the demands of the Outcome-Based Education curriculum. Mr Gwaxula has since made two other fund-raising visits to America and together with Jacob raised a total of R7,7-million.