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Bicycles will get rural learners to school on time
29 November 2006 By Clifford Mogotsi and Moruakgomo Masibi TRUDGING long distances to school is now a thing of the past for schoolchildren from Muldersdrift, after the provincial department of transport, roads and works gave 60 bicycles to the learners. The event, life changing for the children, was an assurance that people's satisfaction was the number one priority for the government. Transport is a challenge for learners in rural areas, where many children have to walk three or more kilometres from home to school each morning - and back again in the afternoon. The gift of bicycles, part of the provincial Shovakalula project, touched the heart of West Rand District Municipality Mayor Faith Matshikiza, who said it represented a revolutionary turnaround. She hoped the 60 bicycles would soon multiply as there were many plots and farmers on the West Rand. Shovakalula is loosely translated as Push Slow. "This is a great day that is not only for us, but for the impoverished and those who struggle to go to school," Matshikiza said. Pupils risk being run over, and are often exhausted by the time they arrive at school, prompting the department to hand over the bicycles. "These children walk more than five kilometres to school and by the time they get to school, they are already tired," said ward 28 councillor Iris Makola. Provincial head of department Sibusiso Buthelezi, who spoke on behalf of the MEC of transport, roads and works, Ignatius Jacobs, said part of his department's mandate was to ensure that children were safe on the way to school. "We want them to get to school in safety and comfort. Our target is to find a sustainable solution to learner transportation as it is known that there problems in this regard." Buthelezi committed the department to increasing the number of donated bicycles in the region over the next two to three years. "We plan to open a bicycle factory on the West Rand in order to speed up the process. We want every learner to have a bicycle," he said. It was up to grade seven learner Olwethu Ngcobo to thank the department for the bicycles. The emotional pupil said that farm schools usually felt left out by the government because of their locations. "People really need to be helped. As rural schools we sometimes feel that the government is not putting effort into the social welfare of rural areas. But this might be the turn of things and we thank the department for the bicycles and hope for more things to come," Ngcobo said, struggling to hold back the tears. Makola, who is also Mogale City's environment portfolio head, sadly said she often saw children walking to school while she drove to work. "It is clear that people are first on the delivery agenda of the government. Without the people we do not exist." Peter Skosana, of the education department's D2 district, was grateful for the department's efforts. However, he challenged parents to make sure that the bicycles were not misused for selfish purposes. He also warned the learners to be aware of road safety. "As our department is committed to this programme, we want learners to get to their destination safely. We will also make sure that deserving learners get bicycles. We will keep records of who benefits from the drive. Family members must also not abuse them for personal errands," he said, adding that D2 was a deserving district because of its high number of rural schools. Skosana also praised Jacobs, who was the former MEC of education, for not forgetting his roots.
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Youngsters Rudolph Simelane (14) and Princes Ndou (9) with their new bicycles
Related stories Poor children receive school uniforms Schools get free computer software Computer labs open in Mogale schools List of schools in Mogale City |
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