The department had promised to give laptops to each of the top pupils but has not done so.

During the announcement of matric results in Polokwane on January 5 this year, MEC for education Namane Masemola had made a commitment that all 30 top pupils would be awarded laptops assist them in coping with educational challenges wherever they went to further their studies.

The laptops were never delivered seven months after the promise was made.

A parent of one of the pupils, Robert Mutepe, said he was not sure if his son would ever get the laptop as promised.

Mutepe said of grave concern was that there had been no correspondence with the pupils.

"I ask myself what kind of government we have today that can make promises to people and fail to fulfil them?" he asked.

Mutepe's son currently reads for a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Cape Town.

According to him they were initially told there was a problem with a service provider, which made it difficult for them to hand over the laptops on the day.

But departmental spokesman Pat Kgomo disputed the allegations and said only four laptops, which were donated by FNB, were given to pupils on the day.

"The four laptops were given to students who obtained total marks in mathematics and physical science. It is, however, true that we had made promises that we have failed to fulfil," said Kgomo.

He said their failure was as a result of a lack of funds. The department of education in Limpopo is one of the five which were placed under administration in December last year.

Kgomo also indicated that Anglo-American had awarded a R20000 bursary to each of the 50 students who had obtained total marks in maths and physical science and that, since the department could not raise money to buy laptops for those pupils as per the promise, they thought the parents would use the money to buy laptops for their children.

But Mutepe would have none of it.

"The department has made promises and must fulfil them," he said. - frankm@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Wed Jun 19 09:43:27 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 3, 2012

Danielrjvvuren

On the one hand yes the government has made promises and where are these kids laptops, but that was also before it was put in administration. I can understand both sides of the coin, but what needs to happen now is that government needs to make a contingency plan is it not? They can not supply laptops, but there are some other things they can do?
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Aug 3, 2012

MakgwebelakaKokoYaManoti!

Hawo!Pat Kgomo,ebile o ya cho ho re tseo di ne di etswa ho FNB.Le ne le batshepisa le tseba ho re tjhelete e teng ya ho reka di-laptops tseo ha ho na lack of funds ya letho in Goverment because people pay tax every minute.
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Aug 3, 2012

Chemorenga

Ditsotsi tja basebetsi ba mmusho bo Namane Masemola..nkee lefeng bana dilo tjeo kaore ase chelete ya lenaaa..heiiiii
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Aug 3, 2012

Kgaoza606

Our government and its never ending promises, we're used to that by now, unfortunately, coz its in the politician's DNA to lie and give people false hopes...
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Aug 3, 2012

MommaC

No! They lied? That is such a shock as it has NEVER happened before.

Geez kids, look around you. If these buggers told me the sun would rise tomorrow morning I'd be sceptical
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Aug 3, 2012

faneli

Luckly my brother got it on the same day since he got 100% for both Maths and Science But they promise them also 3G which even today they have not received and the R20 000 that they are taking about was separate from the Laptops that they promise.The govenment need to keep their promise so that learners can be motivated and study hard.
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Aug 3, 2012

PapaTshego

Limpopo Dept of Education at it again. What's next, closing off the schools for good? Looks like some1 in Limpopo does not want to see children doing well in their studies. After the delivery of books scandal and now this empty promises, The MEC & Minister of Education should be fired - period!
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Aug 3, 2012

faneli

@ Danielrjvvuren we are taking about to Limpopo Top learners and Mutepe is on the Top 3 of the learners who passed Grade 12 with flying colours in Limpopo so he need his Laptop and 3G as promised by the Goverment.
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Aug 3, 2012

Danielrjvvuren

faneli
You do understand by me commenting here I do have the ability to read? If it is such a need public libraries and universities do have Internet facilities. Yes the government promised them laptops, dam they promised to diminish unemployment, if it doesn't happen it doesn't. There are unforeseen circumstances at work here. And like MommaC said the government lies all the time. Maybe a good lesson the be learned. Do not put all your trust in government do it yourself!
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Aug 3, 2012

akaPENdEBAHLEN

Probably the laptops were delivered,they took them for personal gain.So much for promises.Let's get rid of these Moegoes
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