Accompanied by the Mayor of the Kopanong Local Municipality, Xolani Tselele, Sotyu handed out eco-desks, school shoes, sanitary packs as well as gardening equipment and trees. 

Sotyu said that every Minister and Deputy is assigned or instructed to have a back-to-school campaign. She adds that she decided to direct her programme to the Boaramelo Combined School due to the incident which occurred in the area last year when over 200 people were displaced, over 200 houses were flooded or damaged, and two people died, while one remains missing.

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"Before I came here, I sent some officials who came to the school, met with the leadership, met with the district's leadership also to identify a school so that we can see what the needs are in order for us to assist where we can. Indeed, as per what the principal then requested the department to assist with, we are here to deliver school desks. As you would have seen that there are no chairs for learners at the school, but we managed to procure 150. We also brought sanitary towels for the girls, garden tools and will also be planting some trees," she said.

Sotyu added that the department was also able to get school shoes for learners who have more needs than others with regard to the uniform. She said the demand was much higher than expected, however, the department covered 99% of what was required.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi and Bambatha Giko