Taking cue from the proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child” that carries a profound message about community and a shared responsibility that we apply to parenting nowadays. Keketso Lekgethenyane better known as Ponase, among his peers, has on 7 March 2025, donated more than 200 Sanitary towels to learners of WD Oliphant Primary School in Kagiso.
The donation will see more than 200 leaners being able to attend to their schoolwork without any hindrance of being embarrassed due to the lack of Sanitary towels. In its third year running since 2023, what started off as a simple gesture with a merger donation of 100 Sanitary towels, has now grown and developed into a massive programme, where learners find their much needed pampering.
Lekgethenyane, a former learner at the school, said he is humbled to play his part in assisting needy learners, more so, those coming from poor and underprivileged families. He says his donation also serves as a way of ploughing back to the community, but most importantly, appreciating the efforts that his former educators played a role in mentoring him to become the man he is today.
“I’m so humbled that my colleagues listen to my requests that every time I celebrate my birthday’s, I make it a point that instead of them spoiling me with presents, I would request that they purchase packs of Sanitary Towels, to consistently carry out this noble gesture,” Lekgethenyane said.
“What I hope to achieve with this initiative is see this initiative growing bigger and for the community of Kagiso and other stakeholders to come together in helping our kids, and not only the girlchild but also the boychild. I’m ploughing back to the community and thus appreciate my teachers.” He added.
Ester Mopeli, the acting Deputy Principal of the school, together with the School Based Support Team (SBST) Coordinator, Reginald Sebogodi, were elated and praised Lekgethenyane for his continued philanthropic gesture.
“I’m lost for words and happy and on behalf of the school team and management we appreciate that our former learners do not forget where they come from. This donation will go a long way for them, more so, those coming from needy and poor families,” Mopeli stressed.
While Sebogodi added that: “We are happy that one of our leaners is ploughing back to the school and hope that some of his colleagues could follow in his steps and come in handy to assist our learners. We hope that our learners will also appreciate this donation and make good use of them.”
Sipho None
Soweto Sunrise News
