A group of Khayelitsha Grade 12 pupils from various schools around the peninsula got a morale boost when the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) in partnership with Islamic Relief South Africa gave them stationery packs and a R2 000 voucher to cover unforeseen expenses.
The Grade 12 pupils are preparing to write their final exams.
The gift hand-over took place at Litha Park Methodist church on Sunday October 22.
The two organisations also prayed for the pupils ahead of the examinations. And the pupils were also motivated and encouraged not to allow hardship to deter them, but to use it as a stepping stone to achieving their dreams.
MJC president Shaykh Irafaan Abrahams called on pupils to study the life of former president Nelson Mandela and take the message of positivity and determination from his work. He motivated the pupils to do their best and not be side-tracked by negativity. He said they should not despair but rather remain positive despite difficult circumstances and aim high for their future.
He made it clear that the pupils were the future leaders of the country, adding that they should embrace the spirit of Ubuntu and the diversity of religion.
He said they were not putting pressure on them, but wanted to assure them that they were supported and doing that well in matric would open many doors of opportunities for them.
“We want to you to write exams without having to worry about what you don’t have. This is the time in your life where you need to focus on your studies more than anything. I want you to never doubt yourselves and your potential. The area that you come from should motivate you to become a better person in life. Patience and perseverance are the keys to success,” he said. Mr Abrahams said they came to express their unwavering support to the pupils and show them that the spirit of Ubuntu had no boundaries.
He said that all religions spoke one thing which was to help those in need irrespective of different beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
Yusuf Mohammed, CEO of Islamic Relief of South Africa, said it was crucial that religious-based organisations contribute to the development and betterment of the country. He said that they understood the challenges these pupils might be facing and wanted to bring a bit of relief with the hope to inspire them to do well. He said this was part of creating a relationship between the community of Khayelitsha and them. He said their common goal was to make a difference in impoverish communities.
He said the core message was that people should not let their religion and cultural beliefs create a wall that separates people.
He called on young people to be agents of change in their communities and play an active role in developing their society.
Grade 12 pupil at Tafelberg High School Anelisa Ntlezi said she was excited and grateful for the overwhelming support they have received. The 18-year-old said this also put pressure on them to do well, but most importantly it showed that there were other people who still cared about their future.
She said this gesture showed that love and kindness indeed had no boundaries.
Reverend of Litha Park Methodist Church, Nomandla Makemane, said they understood that some children had no support at home while others were in orphanages.
She said young people were faced with a number of challenges hence they felt that it was important to show them love and care. “We want them to know that we are rallying behind their back.
“We hope that we would be joined by other churches in this initiative,” she said. Banetsi Mphunga, who runs a mobile psychology clinic, motivated the pupils to dream big and never allow their hardships to deter them from turning their dreams into reality.
