Sakha Ngentsiba NPO along with the Ekurhuleni North District director, Nonceba Ntuta showered Umnyezane Primary School with their presence, donating school shoes to 100 beneficiaries on Wednesday, 9 February.
The founder of the NPO, Rev Dr Vuyisile Sonti initiated this programme because he believes that children from destitute families have the right to equal education to those who can afford it. The NPO was founded in January 2022, with the sole purpose of journeying with learners, students, and young adults as they navigate their way through the challenging social ills that exist in the communities and higher institutions.
In the process of gathering the school shoes, Rev Dr Sonti had a social outreach when he was graduating for his PhD in Practical Theology, majoring in Pastoral care, Trauma Counselling, and Therapeutic Healing.
“When I was graduating I knew that people will come with gifts to celebrate with me. Instead of that, I asked them to bring me a pair of shoes as their gifts, because I knew they would go for a long run,” he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Ekurhuleni North District director Nonceba Ntuta said, “We are here today because of a blessing that we received from Rev Dr Sonti. He was graduating and receiving his PhD qualification and thought of you, my children,”
“Because he is a man of God and understands the poverty in South Africa and also understands that as a government we may not be in a position to reach to every child, he then decided to do this social outreach”.
On behalf of the department, the director gave thanks to Rev Dr Sonti for what he has done for their district.
“We are not taking this for granted because there are many other districts that he could have identified but he chose us and for that we are grateful,” she added.
School principal, Velly Katane extended his gratitude to the district team and the NPO as they pushed the programme to reach them as a school, to prevent the situation of learners skipping school because they don’t have shoes.
“On behalf of the SGB and the staff members of the school, we would like to give thanks to all stakeholders involved who made this day possible for us as the school. We wish that God can bless you all with strength so that you can continue to do the wonderful work you are doing,” he said.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
