Happiness brought to Tsakane The handover event of Tsakane Special School was synonymous to taking the bull by its horn as the physically and cognitively challenged section of our society which is mostly marginalised and stigmatised was uplifted and recognised through this event. Eighteen flag bearing learners formed a guard of honour welcoming the entourage of the MECs for Education and Public Works, Roads and Transport, as well as the representatives for the Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. This scene and the preceding events coupled with the opening by singing the National Anthem invoked the spirit of patriotism and pride in being a South African at a time when nation building and social development were in process. In the school hall where the event took place, the welcoming Tsepo Tsola rendition of “Ho Lokile” followed by the “African Dream” by Vicki Simpson punctuated the air and created an ambience of thanks giving to officials, children and the delegates in attendance. The thematic message passed through all and sundry was that taking care of the vulnerable and disabled is part of the African Dream that is pursued in South Africa for a better life and a better tomorrow. Indeed the call for the pride and a better future for Africa were made. That was the mood to the prelude of the official handover event of Tsakane Special School that took place on 16 October 2014 at the Tsakane Special School hall. The emphasis of the event was the prevailing notion that government really cares for the needs of the South African people, the disabled included. Situated in Orpen Gate, RDP Block in Arconhoek in the Bohlabela District, Tsakane Special School caters for learners with special needs from Grade R to Grade 4. The school is a state of the art facility with an enrolment of 111 learners with a SENASE backed curriculum which covers three main areas; Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills. The learners enrolled at the school are day scholars from the surrounding areas of Manyeleti, Shatale, Arcornhoek and Casteel. The facility consists of an Admin Block of six offices, four store rooms, a staff room, kitchen, sickroom, a foyer and reception area. There are ten classrooms, a hall, four workshops, a double garage, a media centre, change centre, a guard’s room and thirty four toilets for disabled and abled learners. With regards to staff personnel to take care of the special educational needs of the learners as well as their support are one principal, an HOD and 09 PL1 Educators, 03 Administrative Staff, 18 Teacher Assistants, a General Foreman, 04 Cleaners and four Grounds men. Expressing sentiments of joy and gratitude on behalf of the school community, the Chairperson of the SGB, Mr. Kenneth Chungweane stated that the name of the school sums up what the general members of the community are feeling in as far as the construction and availability of the school is concerned. “Tsakane means happiness in the Queens language. We are really happy today that our children who have special educational needs are now getting such special attention just around the corner. It is a huge feat for us and we really appreciate the work that government has done for us,” summed up Mr. Chungweane. The buzz word of the day was “taking care of the school” as echoed by MEC Mhaule imploring the school community to take ownership of the school. Cllr Mokoena spoke on behalf of the Executive Mayor. In his message of support, Mr. Judas Mudala, the Provincial Chairperson of the South African National Council for the Blind expressed his gratitude to the department for making disabled people feel respected and worthy in the course to make education accessible to all. In his words there is still a long way to go in the journey to educate people with disabilities and is confident that the Department of education is up to that challenge. In reference to a call made by the Chairperson of the SGB with regards to the construction of a boarding facility for the benefit of the learners; the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ms. Dumisile Nhlengethwa said, “We have heeded the call for catering for the commuting needs of the learners by providing scholar transport for this learners. In this respect we find this being a positive narrative and a good story to tell to all. There could be no better way of uplifting our disabled learners than giving them an education that is responsive to their needs.” The Department of Community Safety Security and Liaison has also featured in the project by taking care of the security needs of the school. “History has been made as this is the first special school to be built in the Bohlabela District, Bushbuckridge local municipality. This is the 18th special school within the province and the learners will learn life skills so that they could be able to be independent in earning a living. Parents within this area will derive joy and be content that their children with learning disabilities who need special educational attention will be able to learn within their locality. These learners are human beings and should be treated as such and no one has a right to take away their right to an education. I want to make a plea to all the school community to work together towards taking good care of this school,” said MEC Mhaule in her keynote address. The MEC concluded by wishing all learners who will be sitting for examinations well in their studies. She also made a commitment that the Mpumalanga Department of Education will afford learners with disabilities who pass their grade 12 examinations and apply for bursaries with bursaries. This is a positive narrative and a good story to tell. The African Dream as in the words of Vicky Simpson is on. ‘Minthiro yavulavula’. Sisonke Sifundzisa Sive.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:10:37 +0000
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