Doctor and Nurse Recognise Young Maths & Science Minds at Rural School
- A doctor and nurse have returned to their old primary school to award children who do well in maths and science
- Lynette Baloyi, who is now a nurse, wanted to keep her father, Phillip's legacy alive and decided to award children who excel in the two subjects
- Dr Phosani Mgiba decided to join forces with Lynette to inspire hope and improve the lives of the community
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By Yonne Silaule - Freelance writer
A doctor and a nurse in Bushbuckridge outside Mpumalanga, both 60, have returned to their old primary school to award exceptional performance in maths and science.
Nurse Lynette Baloyi wanted to carry the legacy that her father, Phillip Baloyi, started when he was the school principal of Wisani Primary School five decades previously. Lynette’s father was passionate about education and his school produced the highest marks compared to other schools.
Source: Original
For Lynette, the best way to give back and inspire brighter futures is to award pupils who perform well in mathematics and physical science. The awards range from trophies, dictionaries to assist with vocabulary as well as donations to buy disadvantaged children bread.
“Education is an important factor in our lives and it has the power to turn a situation around. We had the opportunity to become doctors and nurses because we stayed in school and focused.
"I learned that if you have a light, you need to let it shine for others. The Wisani Primary learners are that motivation for us to make a difference in our community,” said Lynette
Dr Phosani Mgiba, who is also a former attendee of the school and a successful medical practitioner, decided to join forces with Lynette to award the pupils of Wisani Primary School.
For Dr Mgiba it's about improving the livelihoods of the pupils while also making an impact on the state of living in the Rolle community where the school is based.
“Dr Mgiba was amazing when he stepped in and wanted to be part of the programme because the school does not belong to my family, it belongs to the community and all those who need to help must come and help.
"We need to see the future of these children brighten up from a poverty-stricken condition to that of academic and health prosperity."
The current school principal, Nxumalo Joice, said the school achieved a 90% pass rate in mathematics and physical science due to the awards.
It's an annual highlight for the budding pupils.
“Due to these awards, every learner wants to achieve better in these subjects so they can be acknowledged. The awards have caused great competition between the teachers and learners.
"When the learner performs well, it motivates the pupils and helps prepare them to handle high school better and be responsible with their work,” the principal said.
The school principal says the awards motivate the parents of the winning pupils and promises bright futures.
“When a parent is invited to school to witness that their child is doing well and is even winning awards, they will continue to motivate and support that learner with their homework and personality maintenance.
"This programme is assisting beyond the community as it helps sharpen the children to be better adults in the future,” Nxumalo added.
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Bhekamandaba Makhonza's life turned around instantly, like in movies or fairytales. The smart young man from Esigodini in Pietermartizburg said he still cannot believe that his life changed overnight.
From a dilapidated mud house, which he lived in for many years, he said it is a miracle that he and his family now lived in a fully furnished three-bedroom house worth R400 000, thanks to a local businessman, Bonginkosi Makhathini.
After achieving eight distinctions, achieving the third-highest marks in physical science in the whole of Mzansi and becoming Mzansi’s second-top achiever, this young man’s future looked bleak as he has lost hope of ever leaving his poor background behind due to financial difficulties.
He could not believe his luck when he got it all at the same time.
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Source: Briefly News
Rianette Cluley (Director and Editor-in-Chief) Rianette Cluley is the managing editor of Briefly News (joined in 2016). Previously, she worked as a journalist and photographer for award-winning publications within the Caxton group (joined in 2008). She also attended the Journalism AI Academy powered by the Google News Initiative and passed a set of trainings for journalists from Google News initiative. In February 2024, she hosted a workshop titled AI for Journalists: Power Up Your Reporting Ethically and was a guest speaker at the Forum of Community Journalists No Guts, No Glory, No Story conference. E-mail: rianette.cluley@briefly.co.za
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.
