14 Mar 2021

Kanye Spar has donated a total of 71 toiletry packages to Segopotso Primary School pupils with disability.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Thursday, assistant manager, Mr Frank Ntsie noted that the donation came at the right time when hygiene is prioritised.

He said the initiative was part of their annual commitment of giving back to the community.

“We have made a commitment to give back to the local community every year, but due to challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not achieve our objective last year,” he said.

He implored the school management to assist with a proposal looking at the needs and the priorities of the school.

He also appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that the toiletries were used for the intended purpose, and desist from selling donations for their personal interests.

A self-employed resident living with disability, Mr Mpho Kumako encouraged the pupils to work hard and believe in themselves despite the challenges they faced due to their limitations.

“Do not compare yourselves to others because everybody is unique in their own way,” he said.

Mr Kumako, who also receives support from Spar on a monthly basis, further urged teachers not to pressure disabled pupils into excelling in academics while they had other strengths that they could focus on. He underscored the need to support learners, looking at their various capabilities.

Additionally, he appealed to government to consider a tertiary institution for people living with disabilities.

“Government should do something in order for people with disabilities to proceed to higher learning, and this will reduce the burden on private entities such as Spar who are taking care of some of us,” he said.

For her part, a teacher in the special unit Ms Gertrude Shadrack commended Kanye Spar for contributing to the upkeep of the pupils.

She acknowledged that the unit had various needs and called on other stakeholders to offer support.

She said they were planning to have sustainable projects such as starting a poultry project to help support the pupils.

Such projects, she noted, needed support from the community and private sector. ENDS