Cecil Motsepe

Cecil Motsepe

The eight-year-old orphan who was rescued from a life of difficulty by a Good Samaritan, started school yesterday.

Until last week Jennifer Mokoena faced a bleak future.

She survived on handouts after her parents died when she was only two years old.

Jennifer's father died in a car accident in May 2002 and her mother succumbed to illness six months later.

She and her then 13-year-old brother Bongani survived on their grandparents' pension.

This did not last long as their grandparents also died in 2006, forcing the little girl to live with her aunt, Miriam Mosala, in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, while Bongani looked after their four-roomed house at Magagula informal settlement.

But that was until Machimana Inc, a law firm run by Godfrey Machimana, approached Sowetan because they wanted to help a destitute child.

On Tuesday Machimana pleaded with the principal of Mampudi Primary School in Vosloorus, in Ekurhuleni, to register the little girl.

Though the school had already closed for registration, principal Thabo Lebina was willing to help.

"This one is an exceptional case," said Lebina.

The little girl could yesterday not conceal her excitement.

"I am very happy to be here," she said as she darted to join her new classmates in Grade 4.

Machimana said: "I want her to get the same education as my three children."

He said that after a meeting with his colleagues it was agreed that Jennifer would be put on the firm's payroll as a beneficiary and receive a stipend of R1500 a month.

"The money will go towards her school fees, groceries and transport.

"We will also help her with medical care," Machimana said.