Cape Town City surprise Khayelitsha school pupils

WITH the stress of exams looming over them, learners at Thembelihle Senior Secondary School in Khayelitsha had a morale boost when Cape Town City FC players and the Gift of the Givers visited the school yesterday.

The players and relief organisation handed out stationery packs and water and hand sanitisers to the learners.

Some of the learners were affected by the recent fires that claimed the life of a resident and left about 1 300 homeless in the area.

Gift of the Givers project manager Ali Sablay said they chose the school as many of the learners affected by the fire attended there.

“We know their morale was down and they needed the encouragement and we decided to bring Cape Town City to surprise them and just to let them know we feel this with them and wanted to give them a boost before their exams.”

He said the team’s management wanted to come on board and give back to the community.

“We got a call from Cape Town City asking to be part of a project with us and we were glad they accepted this date and came to the school. We think it was really great for the learners and we are so happy the school accommodated us,” said Sablay.

Hailing from Khayelitsha, Cape Town City winger Ayanda Patosi told the hundreds of pupils: “I am from Site C and I have been where you are, and I got to where I am now by listening to my teachers and remaining focused. I have been in this situation and I hope that you are not defeated and that you can rise from this.”

Xolisa Swartbooi was one of the learners who received a stationery pack and got the meet the team.

“I am very happy today, I don’t even know what to do with myself. The fire affected us a lot but things are better now. Our place was also burnt and we relied on donations for clothes and school things. We were staying at community halls.”

Amahle Phumula was excited to get a hug from midfielder Teko Modise.

“I am really happy. It’s like I forgot about what even happened. We got a lot of things and they really helped us a lot. We cannot change what happened, it already happened, but things like this make it easier to deal with.”