Police officers are not just there to protect or enforce the law against the citizens, they are also parents.
That is a sentiment of the Gugulethu Police Station Social Crime Coordinator Const Nomapha Homane
On Wednesday 1 February, the officers put down their firearms and visited Nobantu Primary School to donate 46 pairs of new school shoes.
Homane described the initiative as part of giving back to the community. She stated that they started the initiative last year.
“This is a continuation of what we started last year when we donated 306 new school shoes to needy learners at Stormont Madubela Community School in KTC.
“So, when we visited Nobantu school as Gugulethu police officers for Safe School Prayer service during the school opening this year, we saw that some of the learners did not have school shoes and others were wearing broken shoes. Then, we decided to do something,” said Homane.
Homane vowed to continue donating to schools where they can if they receive donations.
School deputy principal Nombekhaya Lindi thanked the officers for showing ubuntu to the learners.
She said the school is proud of what the officers did.
“It was a great experience rubbing shoulders with the police during the event. I believe that the perception that some of the learners had about the police has changed. They won’t be scared of the police anymore now,” said Lindi.
She cited that many of their learners come from disadvantaged families and cannot afford to buy everything.
Lindi urged other organisations and local businesses to support needy children.