In alignment with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) ENVISION2030 strategy, the Department of Applied Management Midlands Campus in collaboration with Red Cross and the Director of Khulisa Agriculture Academy: Ali Smeeton recently donated food parcels and school shoes to Sithunjwana Primary School, in Impendle.

Food parcels that were given to the community on the day.

Sithunjwana Full Service School is the only school within Impendle that caters for the entire community including learners living with disabilities. The school started catering for disabled learners when a non-profit organization that had been looking after the community’s children living with disabilities, abandoned them without informing the principal and staff.

The event was attended by the Head of Department: Applied Management, Professor Bongani Dlamini, Executive Secretary to the Midlands Campuses Director, Mrs Silindile Qwabe, Circuit Manager: Mr Cleopas Sibiya, Sithunjwana Principal: Mrs Dudu Khena, Applied Management staff, Sithunjwana staff, learners and parents.

The event kick-started with prayer and music performances that were prepared by Sithunjwana learners and as the program continued more entertainment such as dancing, poems speeches and many more were presented.

The program was facilitated by the Department of Applied Management Work Integrated Learning Coordinator, Mr Mlungisi Hadebe and Sithunjwana teacher, Ms Nontobeko Ndaba. Hadebe highlighted that the theme of the event was “DUT CARES”. He went on to say that this means that the institution cares for the people and it constantly wants to make a positive impact in the lives of its neighbouring communities.

“It is such a great pleasure to contribute to the future of our children and by doing so we believe that more people who have the power to support will definitely do so,” said Hadebe.

Prof Bongani Dlamini when he was unpacking the purpose of the day.

“The University’s ENVISION2030 inspires us to be a caring Institution of Higher Learning, give support and assistance to those in need which is why after some thorough research we decided to choose this school and provide assistance where we can with the hope that the little we can offer we will make a difference in the lives of the learners and the school as a whole. The process of building the class will start in December 2021 and we are eager to finish it by early 2022. Our long-term goal is to get more sponsors so we can be able to identify and assist other schools,” said Prof Dlamini.

Prof Dlamini encouraged the learners to work hard, be career-driven so that they are able to pass, further their studies as they are the future of the country. He also encouraged parents to support their children so that they can be motivated to become better versions of themselves.

Public Relations lecture, Ms Ntokozo Ndlela presented on the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy and explained more on the society perspective. “As someone who always preaches about Corporate Social Investment events to my students within the university, I am happy to participate in such a beautiful gesture and hopefully the department will have continuous programs that are similar to this one,” said Ndlela.

Circuit Manager: Mr Cleopas Sibiya expressed his gratitude for the support and investment that the University has provided to the learners of Sithunjwana School. “One of the visions for the Department of Education is to promote quality education and ensure that learners are well educated and taken good care of, and what DUT has offered shows that they care for our learners. It is important that we as a Department also provide assistance where we can,” stated Sibiya.

Sibiya further encouraged everyone to look after and protect the school properties as the younger generation is dependent on it too.

On behalf of the school Principal, Mrs Dudu Khena expressed her happiness and excitement about the building of the new class. “I would like to take this opportunity and thank the DUT staff and all those who donated to our school, everyone that ensured that this event took place and was a success. May you continue to give more support to those in need and I pray GOD continues to bless you all,” said Khena.

Prof Dlamini and Applied Management staff handed over the parcels to the community. They three parties (DUT, Red Cross and Khulisa Agricultural Academy) also in the process of building a classroom for the school.

Pictured: Prof Bongani Dlamini (right) with some of the community members who received parcels on the day.

Zanele Mashaba