Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie donates school uniform to disadvantaged learners/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
21 April 2026 – The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie donated school uniforms to 50 disadvantaged learners in Blydeville, Lichtenburg during a flagship programme called Re Thuse Re Go Thuse. Dantjie said while 50 learners received a complete set of school uniforms, the rampant pandemic of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) still flourished within communities.
She further said this is happening because many survivors tolerate it. Dantjie added that the main driver for GBV is silence and tolerance.
“At the first slap, be decisive and leave. You cannot jeopardise your life over lavish lifestyles. Parents must also reject gifts and food that woo their children, only to pay the ultimate price. The ever-growing flagship programme of Re Thuse Re Go Thuse was in action and 22 boys and 28 girls received brand new school uniforms.
“We appeal to parents to ensure good hygiene for children. In the package, there is enough uniform to allow washing, while the child is at school. We want to see the child presentable at all times,” she said.
Dantjie acknowledged that given the living conditions of the children, a school uniform is not enough. She said they will see to it that all recipients get nutritious packs of food parcels.
“Our department will look beyond the selected, with additional 50 food packages to be given to other vulnerable people in the community. Our order of priority is for child-headed families, survivors of GBV and persons with disabilities.
“However, our social workers may use discretion to give those who desperately need assistance. I want to warn parents against abusing child support grants. We understand your difficulties, but the grant is for children, not your personal leisure,” said Dantjie.
She said they have heard of incidents where parents gamble in an attempt to double the money. Dantjie said that is wrong and they have frowned upon it.
“It is similar to moving to different towns, leaving the child behind, but not their cards. The grandparents must not be burdened with extra mouth, while you use the child’s grant as your salary,” she said.
District Manager of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Solly Nobela, indicated that out of 719 learners enrolled at the school, 612 of them receive monthly child support grants. Nobela said this expenditure to see a child is about R500 000 each month.
“This is our commitment to see a better future for our children. The combined sum for the uniform of both girls and boys is estimated at R271 000,” he said.
Meanwhile, the principal of the school, Tladi Sedikane appreciated the gesture from SASSA and Dantjie.
“This is life-changing. You have in one swoop restored the sense of confidence and equality to our learners. This powerful gesture brings hope not only to learners and their families, but to the community at large,” said Sedikane.
The Guardian 