“Our lives will never be the same, thanks to the launch of the Kagiso Trust programme.”

These were the words of some of the pupils at Sehlaku Secondary School, where the launch of the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) was held on March 6.

Launched by Kagiso Trust in partnership with the Limpopo department of education, the proceedings began with the sound of drums and songs by a student band that welcomed dignitaries to the hall in style.

“I’m aware of what is happening today at our schools. Our principal informed us about this project and its importance,” said Ipileng Mokoena, a grade 12 pupil at the school.

“We are very excited about this programme and I would like to thank the Kagiso Trust and everybody involved. They showed today that they care about our future. I don’t have a shred of doubt in my mind that this project will make me a better person. I want to be a renowned chef in future.”

Bridgette Mathebula, who is also in grade 12, said she was equally ecstatic about the BNSDP.

“I’m happy they launched it early in the year. I’m not very aware of BNSDP projects, but our principal told us that they will change our lives. So, I say thank you to Kagiso Trust and the department [of education in Limpopo] for taking care of us. I’m looking forward to being part of all its projects.”

Mathebula wants to be a police officer “to deal with criminals in our community”.

A parent at the school, Naniya Petros Matuludi, praised Kagiso Trust for coming up with such a project for their children.

“Obviously, as parents we are over the moon about this project. Our children are also happy because they know what this means to them,” Matuludi said.

Jacob Moshwana, the school’s principal, said he felt honoured to have afforded a chance to host an event of this magnitude. “We are proud and honoured to have hosted the launch of the BNSDP. This is a noble programme that will not only benefit our kids here at Sehlaku Secondary School but also at other schools in the entire district. There will be a change, a difference in their lives,” he said.

Moshwana was also confident the school would improve its matric result this year after it registered a low 44.3% pass rate in 2018. His target this year is 75% and he believes the target is realistic thanks to the work put in by the teachers.

“We improved by about 20% last year, but it was a bit challenging because of the large number of the pupils who sat for matric. We had 235, but this year we have 155. I think we will manage this number.”

The school offers 23 subjects because it doubles up as a technical high school. At the technical level, it teaches engineering, boiler-making, fitting electrician work and diesel mechanics.

Moshwana said the school had secured employment for some of its pupils with local mining companies in the past and would continue to do so. “Our students are employable at these mines and, as teachers, we are always encouraged to see them doing well for themselves after their schooling days.

“Some of our former learners are teachers right at this school, while others are employed by the department of education in different capacities. Isn’t that good and encouraging?”

The school has 57 teachers, whom Moshwana described as a dedicated group, and 1,641 pupils.

Visit www.kagiso.co.za for more information.

This article was paid for by Kagiso Trust.