By Montsho Matlala
Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality – There was a celebratory mood in Marapyane and Pankop, under the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality in Nkangala District, as Mpumalanga Treasury MEC Bonakele Majuba handed over gardening tools to two special schools in a recent oversight visit.
The tools, including fully equipped gardening implements, were donated to Mantjedi Special School in Pankop and Pelonolo Special School in Marapyane.
Learners will use them as part of their practical skills training programmes, which combine classroom learning with hands-on food production through vegetable gardening.
Olga Mnguni, Acting Principal of Mantjedi Special School, welcomed the donation with gratitude.
“The tools come in very handy, especially the wheelbarrow, because we offer agriculture as one of our elective subjects. Learners will use the wheelbarrow to carry water to their crops. It is truly a happy day for us,” Mnguni said.
Pelonolo Special School’s Acting Principal was not immediately available for comment.
MEC Majuba said the intervention was part of government’s efforts to improve the lives of children with special needs.
He emphasized that Treasury remains committed to ensuring consistent and sufficient funding for special schools to address backlogs in education resources.
“Special schools are major stakeholders and their needs are even greater than those of ordinary schools. This intervention should make life better for learners, teachers, and the wider communities of Marapyane and Pankop,” said Majuba.
Pelonolo Special School caters for 43 learners, while Mantjedi Special School has 70 learners enrolled. Both schools accommodate children aged between eight and 20 years, offering subjects such as agriculture, consumer studies, woodwork and timber, as well as hairdressing and beauty care.
Mpumalanga Treasury MEC Bonakele Majuba, donates gardening tools to two special schools at Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality.
