As matriculants gear up for their final examinations for 2021, our outgoing Eastern Cape Junior Provincial Commissioner, Ms Hloma Sidlova (17) dedicatedly bowed out of her commitments by visiting Esethu Primary School in Indwe to donate sanitary towels and motivate the learners at the school.

The #HelpAGirlChild project is an important initiative that encourages the Junior Commissioner to give back to deserving learners from needy schools across the province. Due to the high levels of unemployment and poverty across the province, many families are unable to provide the basic needs to their children and this includes providing sanitary towels and hygiene products to the female children in the household.

On Friday, 15 October 2021, Sgt Xhanti Mjikeliso and Ms Sidlova brought a ray of hope to 50 young girls at the Seethu Primary School.

Miss Sidlova encouraged her female counterparts that ‘learning should never be hampered because of the menstrual cycle. I urge you not to stay away from school and I challenge the school to introduce initiatives to curb this problem. Do the best you can with what you have and where you’re at and know that, that is what counts. You aren’t defined by your background and grades. Who you are is defined by what you are willing to struggle for.’ She also shared her journey of the past two (2) years as the first Eastern Cape Junior Provincial Commissioner and the opportunities and knowledge that she gained through this initiative.

Sgt Mjikeliso explained to the young learners the Junior Commissioners’ concept. She added that the,’ Junior Commissioner projects is part of the Safer Schools programme aimed at grooming and nurturing future leaders. The young leaders also become ambassadors of Safer Schools programme.’ He concluded by wishing the learners well in their forthcoming examinations.

The school principal, Mr Thando Mdekazi and the School Governing Body member, Mrs Xoliswa Dyani extended their sincere appreciation to the SAPS for their visit and thanked them for their unconditional generosity. ”The support the SAPS provides to our school and learners has given our learners hope and this has elevated their spirits which makes them positive. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and may SAPS continue to touch the lives of our future leaders,” concluded Mrs Dyani.

The SAPS has vowed to visit the school again in 2022.

Source: South African Police Service