By Tebogo Tladi

18/01/2012 

The story of 68 year old Johanna Maloba is a tear-jerking tale of adversity.  Not only is she visibly distraught from that fateful day in December 2011 when she was diagnosed with TB but to add more to her woes, Mama Johanna is a pensioner and the sole provider of seven grandchildren – three of whom, the parents have since passed on. 

“Life is tough but I remain hopeful,” she states optimistically, while clutching on her crutch. 

“God willingly I would love nothing more than to see each and every one of my grandchildren through school.  As I constantly instil the importance of an education to them as much as I can.  But also schooling requires money for various things...”

“...and unfortunately my pension fund can only accomplish so much,” says Mama Johanna.

In line with Government’s “Bana Pele” initiative – which prioritises granting learners from disadvantaged communities an improved access to education - our department handed over 350 underprivileged learners brand new uniforms at three schools in Ekhuruleni on 18 January 2012.

Amongst the recipients was grade 2 pupil Gontse Maloba, Mama Johanna’s seven year old granddaughter, whose eyes brimmed with delight for the brand new uniform to replace her already outdated one.

“Despite the pain of losing her mother at a very young age, Gontse has always been a very resilient child.  And the new school uniform grants her the chance to feel like the other fortunate kids and continue to fuel her focus on her studies despite the odds she has endured,” states pleased grandmother, Johanna.

“Furthermore it also means a load less off my already overloaded shoulders. Sincerely, I would like to commend the department for this initiative as it lessens the daily burden me and my grand kids are faced with.” thanked Ms. Maloba

The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development’s school uniform distribution initiative will continue until 31 January 2012 targeting seven schools within the province in total.