Mahikeng: North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape is pleased with the introduction of serving breakfast at three hundred schools across the province. Premier Maape undertook a visit to Dingake Primary School near Lichtenburg to monitor progress registered in the implementation of this initiative through the National School Nutrition Programme in the province.
Dingake primary forms part of a cohort of three hundred (300) schools where the province introduced breakfast to mitigate the impact of poverty on learners in economically depressed communities. The introduction of this initiative means learners in these schools are receiving two meals a day.
Premier Maape who was accompanied by MEC of Education Viola Motsumi as part of the province’s back to school campaign says he is pleased with the feedback he has received in the implementation of this programme. The province is feeding over seven hundred and forty thousand (740 000) learners through this initiative.
“In 2023 I announced that learners in financially depressed communities will benefit from this programme which is currently serving two meals per day to three hundred schools across the province.
“The feedback I have received in the implementation of this programme is satisfactory and to date we have not experienced any hiccups. The programme is in full swing and we are currently feeding over seven hundred forty thousand learners across the province” maintains Premier Maape.
Premier Maape expressed his gratitude towards the roll-out of several Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives by the private sector in addressing the scourge of poverty in this community and particularly at this school.
“I understand that various social partners and, in this regard, business have been assisting this school with poverty alleviation projects. This is commendable and I would like to urge others to do the same. We can only build our communities if we work together in addressing challenges of poverty and unemployment afflicting our people.”
Premier Maape further says while there were minor incidents which were reported on the first day of the reopening of schools, he is confident that this will not have any adverse impact in the 2024 academic year activities.
ENDS
Issued by the North West Office of the Premier
For enquiries, contact
Sello Tatai
Spokesperson to the Premier
North West Provincial Government
Cell: 064 756 2510/082 450 7842
E-mail: statai38@gmail.com
or
Brian Setswambung
Provincial Head of Communication
Office of the Premier
North West Provincial Government
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
