BRAND NEW CENTRE SPARKS JOY
THERE were mixed emotions yesterday at the official opening of the Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela Primary School in Bramfischerville, Soweto.
A number of pupils were excited to have been the first at the school while a few were dragged as they were screaming by their parents to the state-of-the-art school.
The school, which can accommodate 1 300 pupils, has 33 smart classrooms, two science laboratories, two multi-purpose rooms, computer laboratory, IT control room, library, nutrition centre, sport facilities and two water reservoirs.
Six-year-old Mahabane Moleleki, was so excited that he told his mother to go back home and leave him with the other pupils.
The energetic pupil even asked officials to allow him to render a poem during the official opening of the R83-million primary school by Gauteng premier David Makhura, education MEC Panyaza Lesufi and infrastructure development MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
Mamabolo urged residents to protect the school from vandalism and criminals.
“Those who steal must not steal from this school. This school is named after one of the greatest stalwarts of our movement Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and we must ensure that we protect it,” he said.
Moleleki’s mother, Ndileka Moselenyane, said her son had been persistently asking when the school was opening.
“My son has been ready for school since December. He is a smart boy who loves poetry.
“I am so happy he will attend school close to home. I am unemployed and can’t afford to pay for transport. What makes me more happy is that this school will provide them with nutritious meals daily,” Moselenyane said.
Boitumelo Koloane said her fiveyear-old daughter Reamohetswe, woke her up at 5am asking to be taken to school.
“She woke up early today. She was so excited. I hope that she will love education. She told me that she will make new friends.
“I have mixed emotions. I now realise that my daughter has grown up. Soon she will be an adult,” Koloane said.
Phikisile Hlongwa said her sixyear-old daughter, Akhona, slept with her uniform under her pillow claiming that criminals would break into their house and steal it.
The Grade 1 pupil was very happy and posed for cameras.
“We woke up at 5am. She was pushing me to prepare her because she wanted to be first at the school,” Hlongwa said.