Being a school principal at a farm school with minimal resources must be one of the toughest callings in our education system. It is work done quietly, often invisibly, and almost always against the odds. I was recently invited to Corrie Lyn Primary School, in my capacity as deputy mayor of uMngeni Local Municipality, for Pick n Pay’s Takeover Initiative.
The event was graced by the presence of Tayla Kinsey, Mary Zulu and Lindelwa Gwala, professional rugby players from the Springbok Women’s squad, whose presence alone was deeply inspiring for the pupils. The school received a R10000 food hamper to support its feeding scheme; and an additional R18000 in Pick n Pay credit, valid for a year, to be used for essential supplies. Pick n Pay St John’s played a key role in organising and delivering the hampers, while PolyCo ensured that every pupil walked away with a juice bottle, lunch bag and stationery pack.
This was not a symbolic gesture, it was practical, dignified support that made an immediate difference. The day pulled at my heartstrings. It reminded me of what becomes possible when big corporations do more than issue statements.
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Through its partnership with the Feed the Nation Foundation, Pick n Pay chose to invest where the need is greatest, and the impact was tangible. The presence of the Springbok Women players mattered deeply too. For many pupils, seeing role models who look like them and come from similar backgrounds is powerful in ways we often underestimate.
What struck me most, however, was not only the generosity on display, but the pupils themselves. Their ability to confidently recite the Preamble to the Constitution was deeply impressive. It prompted a moment of self-reflection, leaving me asking how many of us, long out of school, can still do the same.
There is something profoundly important about young people knowing the values, rights and responsibilities that underpin our democracy. This raises a broader question about civic education in our schools.
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