School Gallery
/0 Comments/in Gallery /by administratorTribute to a Stalwart
/0 Comments/in News /by administratorIn the State of the Nation Address presented to the joint sitting of Parliament in Cape Town on 3 June 2009, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob G Zuma, stated that “Education will be a key priority for the next five years. We want our teachers, learners and parents to work together with government to turn our schools into thriving centres of excellence.”
Preceding this important statement made by the President, the Government of South Africa launched a health and education campaign at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown on 11 August 2008. This campaign arose from the recognition that health and education should be at the centre of the Social Transformation Programme for the next five years.
It is against this background that the Kungwini Parliamentary Constituency Office (PCO) raised its hand to be counted among those that have heeded the call by the State President. To this effect, Kungwini PCO, through the effort of a successful local entrepreneur, Mrs Ameenia Nanabhai, better known as uMakoti, made it possible that a reunion between the South African born Dr Mohamed Rashid Goolam Hussain and the local leadership takes place.
Dr Hussain, a medical doctor by profession, studied at the University of Natal and later practised as a general practitioner in the former KwaNdebele, Kwaggafontein. In the late 1980s, due to the unjust laws and the documented history of segregation during apartheid South Africa, Dr Hussain left the country to pursue his career in Canada. He is currently a Medical Director at the Tri-Hospital Sleep Laboratory West in Canada. He is decorated with a number of achievements in his involvement in both the private and government circle in Canada. The Kungwini PCO has partnered with Dr Hussain in advancing the concept of quality education for all. In 2012 and 2013 he formed part of the delegation that consisted of Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Legislation, councillors, the Chief Whip, the Speaker of Council, religious groups, school governing bodies, city officials, Members of the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign and other important partners during the Back to School Campaign led by Members of the Executive Council in Gauteng Province. The Members of Executive Council, M Nkomfe and N Kholisile, were among those who graced this outreach programme. During this period, schools such as Dan Kutumela High School, Ekangala Comprehensive School, Sithjejiwe High School, Strauss High School, new Zithobeni Combined School and others, were visited by the leadership of government joined by other progressive formations within Region 7 of the City of Tshwane.
Doctor Hussain has led a number of groundbreaking initiatives which included addressing Grade 11 and 12 learners on the importance of studying Maths and Science; he also introduced the School Health Initiative Programme which focused on conducting medical investigations for learners attending the School for the Disabled in Sizanani. He has conducted a cohort study which seeks to address the reduction of barriers to health care, learning and development, as well as the promotion of essential health awareness and behaviour which will have direct impact on a child ‘s school performance, absenteeism and overall health matters. He introduced the concept of teacher-performance at th is school and assisted in improving its results. The role of the Kungwini PCO has been instrumental and commendable to Dr Hussain’s work, noting many of the socio-economic challenges that exist and affects the learners, with limited resources to overcome these unfortunate circumstances.
With his involvement as a doctor in this project, he has been able to offer his [medical] skills and knowledge. His contribution has enabled the district and all its social partners to benefit towards realising the goal of achieving quality health and education in underprivileged communities, residing in areas such as the erstwhile Metsweding.
It is very commendable to experience such a good partnership by local citizenry, in particular with someone who is a professional. Dr Hussain dedicates his life towards addressing the core issues that a touches the lives of ordinary people, without any financial gain. During his last days in South Africa before departing to Canada, the Kungwini PCO, together with the Office of the Chief Whip, deemed it fit to pay a farewell tribute to Dr Hussain as part of recognising his selfless contribution – he visits South Africa during his off-season and holidays, usually between December and March each year. The Kungwini PCO organised a farewell which was attended by the key local stakeholders, such as Leaders of the Gauteng North District, religious groups led by Pastor Jele, Hon MP JB Sibanyoni, Hon MPL R Ndzuta, local councillors led by a convener, Cllr J Masombuka, school governing bodies and various school principals as well as the leadership of the ruling party in the Metsweding zone. All the speakers commended both the Kungwini PCO and Dr Hussain for the work done towards putting Gauteng North District and the Metsweding constituency on the map. This included celebrating the top achievements of the matric results and being the best performing district in the entire Gauteng for 2012.
During this event which took place on Constituency Day, Monday the 25th of March 2013, the Chief Whip of Council, Jabu Mabona, also praised Dr Hussain for partnering with the local stakeholders to achieve a better life for all. He emphasised that this will only be realised when all people are glued together and more hands on and practical in contributing to the slogan of “working together we can do more”.
Finally, as part of paying tribute to the work done by Dr Hussain, the Member of the National Assembly deployed in Kungwini PCO, Hon JB Sibanyoni, also tabled a statement, which was read in Parliament on 19 March 2013, wherein he praised the good work done by the Dr Hussain. Sibanyoni said, “It is people like Dr Mohamed Hussain who, during his holiday, dedicated his limited time in the country and contributed towards bettering the lives of ordinary people and especially with no gain. He has continuously served as an inspiration to the entire area of Kungwini and Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. On behalf of Kungwini Constituency, I say: Dr Hussain, bon voyage on your trip back to Canada.”
Thank-you, Dr. Hussain!
/0 Comments/in Testimonials /by administratorA letter from George who has a hereditary muscular dystrophy. One of the recipients of the wheel chair program.
April 2014 Progress Report
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by administratorJanuary 15, 2014
- National School Opening Day in Kungwini
- Motivational speeches with MEC Wadee at schools at Rethabiseng and Ekangala followed by Town Hall meeting with parents and ANC and PCO Members
- Schools and students congratulated on 93% pass of high school students in the district
January 22, 2014
- Civil unrest in Kungwini due to high electricity bills associated with merger of municipality with Pretoria.
- Boycotts, marches and speeches resulting in violence
- Burning of tires and stones blockading of streets and main roads
- Police riot squad called in
January 23, 2014
- Boycotts continue with violence and 18 arrests
- Unrest spreads to neighbouring townships Ekangala, Cullinan and Delmas
- Students and teachers unable to get to schools
January 27, 2014
- Meeting with Principle and Staff at Sizanane amidst the civil unrest
- Review past years admissions and needs
- 45 new kids admitted this past year
- No new staff – 2 staff died of pneumonia and 1 hospitalized
- Burning of library, police station and homes and businesses in townships of Zithobeni Rethabiseng and Ekangala
January 29, 2014
- Regular school day
- Assessing new admissions and follow up of previous concerns
January 31, 2014
- Awards day for high school achieves of the district of Medswetting
- Attended gala at Rayton Community Hall awarding the class of 2013
- 100 people including parents attended philosophical speech
February 2, 2014
- Violence and property destruction
- Teachers and kids unable to come to school
- District wide boycott
- Police and riot forces on defensive
- 18 arrests in court
- Heavy rains day and night for 2 weeks limiting access to school
February 19, 2014
- Teachers incentives day
- 30 staff members given gift certificates
March 6, 2014
- School day at Sizanane
- 4 wheelchairs presented (Need 9 more!)
- Heart breaking event
March 12, 2014
- School day
- Assessments and counselling
- Visited victims of burnt homes – counselling until dusk
March 18, 2014
- Collected vaccines from Fourways Hospital thanks to Shabir Banoo and Abdur Rahim
- 3 children taken to appointments with Dr Dahiya for eye disorders (ophthalmologist)
March 19, 2014
- Influenza vaccination day 1 at Sizanane
- All kids parents and staff had given consent – all examined before shots
- No complications
- 1 schizophrenic child refused vaccine
- All smiles especially with candies and pictures
March 20, 2014
- Second day of school vaccination program – had 178 vaccines left –
- Vaccinated all the consent approved kids and entire staff of the Sizanane and St. Josephs Catholic Mission Complex including the staff and caregivers
- 6 wheelchairs presented to needy kids
March 25, 2014
- Our last day at Sizanane
- School assembly and farewell songs and prayers with staff and kids
- Plenty of gifts and tears
- Employment contract with Nurse Crista Botha given
- 6 Epads given to children with autism
Identifying barriers that restrict inclusion into mainstream schooling.
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by administratorA Student Health Initiative Project
The study examined the impact and health needs of children with special needs in a government-operated LSEN school in Kungwini, Gauteng, South Africa.
Review of social, educational and medical records of 38 learners exposed many social and medical barriers which restricted learning and development.
From our findings, inclusion into mainstream schooling from a school for special education needs can be enhanced with thorough pre-admission medical assessments and attention to therapy, clearly defining admission criteria, and establishing a transition class.