The Rep 18 December 2020

8 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 18 December 2020 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V E
Students receive help
from Good Samaritan
NTSIKELELO QOYO
Every year, many Walter Sisulu
University students face the
possibility of dropping out
because they cannot afford
residence fees.
In February, second year
student Sisipho Mdaka was
stranded in Grey Street without
a place to stay. She had not
made the list of students
allocated a place in a residence.
“It was the first day of the
academic year. There were
many of us with bags out in the
streets. We had nowhere to go
and we did not know what to
d o ,” said Mdaka.
Students like Mdaka are left
to fend for themselves every
year because of the shortage of
space in residences.
Last year, Mdaka squatted
with friends the whole year. She
could not afford private
accommodation because
financial aid only paid for
students in a residence.
This year, Mdaka shared a
three bedroom house with 37
other students. They were
rescued by Mzimkhulu
Madikane who offered his home
as lodgings free of charge.
“We were very happy here.
We started to feel like family.
There were 38 when we started.
Some eventually got places to
❝
There is a possibility
that we will not be
able to have this
arrangement again
next year
stay and moved out, but most of
us were there the whole year,”
said Mdaka.
“[Madikane] saw to it that
we had everything we needed.
His parents were also very
welcoming when they came to
visit. We are thankful for what
he did for us. He was God-sent,”
she added.
Qhamani Siziba, a first year
student in the house said she
had no one to turn to.
“It was my first visit to
Komani. When he came to take
us I did not know where we
were going. There were many of
us, but he was very welcoming.
He did not charge as he said he
could not take money from
s t u d e n t s ,” said Siziba.
While the students may have
received help from the Good
Samaritan this year, their
uncertainty is back for next year.
GODSEND: Earlier this year a group of WSU students were rescued from the street by a Good
Samaritan who let them stay at his home the whole year free of charge. The students were not
allocated accommodation in residences Picture: SUPPLIED
“I decided to help them
because of the desperation of
their situation. When I spoke to
them I realised most of them
were sleeping in halls at the
school and wash rooms at petrol
s t a t i o n s ,” said Madikane.
“However, my uncle moved
in this December and he might
stay permanently. I have
communicated this to them
which means there is a
possibility we will not be able to
have this arrangement again
next year,” he added.
A night filled with
roaring laughter
NTSIKELELO QOYO
It was a night of gags for the
audience who came out to
see local Khanyisa Bunu’s
one-woman show at the
Queen’s Hotel.
The show came hot on the
heels of Durrubentsu, the fiveman
show that set the local
standup scene alight with
irreverent humour and witty
punch lines.
Bunu, born in Whittlesea
and now plying her trade in
Johannesburg as an actor and
comic, said she was keen to
finally show local fans what she
is all about.
“People kept asking me
when was I doing my onewoman
show. I have been here
before, but in a line-up with
other comics. I wanted them to
get the full Khanyisa experience
so they know what I am
b r i n g i n g ,” said Bunu.
Although the show was not
packed, Bunu believed there
was a market for local comedy.
Khanyisa Bunu hosts one-woman standup show
JUST FOR GAGS: Audience members were in stitches during
the Khanyisa Bunu comedy show special which was held at the
Queens’s Hotel
“There are a lot of people
who are really giving audiences
their money’s worth. I think
people are warming up to
comedy. I just wish Komani
people would really support
local comedians. I am booked
in many places around the
country and people come out in
numbers. I wish they would
support us so we can bring other
comedians, knowing that
people will come out.
“We live in stressful times.
People need to know there are
health benefits to comedy.
Laughing helps with stress and
improves your quality of life,”
she said.
The Khanyisa Bunu onewoman
show was held in
partnership with Termz and
Conditions Entertainment which
hosted Durrubentsu and the
Seya comedy nights.
Termz and Conditions
Entertainment director, Tembela
Cawe, said they were happy
with the reception of the shows
over the past three months.
“Durrubentsu was more than
a success, people are keen to
have it again. We are getting
support from local businesses
and individuals like Mlindazwe
THE FULL EXPERIENCE: Whittlesea-born comedian, Khanyisa
Bunu, held a one-woman standup comedy show at the Queen’s
Hotel. Bunu is based in Johannesburg as an actor and comic
Pictures: NTSIKELELO QOYO
Attorneys and Dr Aphiwe Jafta
who paid for venues in the past.
“We are hoping to host
many more shows. We have
approached the local
municipality and hopefully we
will have another show early
next year,” said Cawe.
Bakers, crafters, carpenters and landscapers in the making
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING: Phumelela Special Care and Training Centre pupils who were
trained in baking this year showed off their skills as they baked cakes for their disability
awareness event and Christmas party Picture: ANDISA BONANI
ANDISA BONANI
Ezibeleni-based Phumelela
Special Care and Training
Centre that accommodates
pupils with physical and
psychological impairments
celebrated disability month
which ended on December 3,
by showcasing its pupils’ skills
and to raise awareness.
The centre, which has been
supported by the community
and businesses, offers training in
beadwork, carpentry, baking
and gardening for its pupils.
It has also grown to become
a boarding school after moving
out of a dilapidated building
about two years ago and was
offered accommodation at a
school left unattended due to
the education department’s
rationalisation program.
Centre manager Nobuntu
Gulwa said 2020 was a difficult
year for everyone, and the
s ch o o l ’s annual Christmas party,
made from items sponsored by
locals, had to coincide with the
disability awareness event.
“However, we are grateful
that none of our pupils
contracted Covid-19. We have
established a bakery after we
were sponsored with industrial
ovens. Our pupils get baking
training from people from East
London and did so well that
they got certificates.
“We are an optimally
functioning school that offers
boarding for pupils who do not
have anyone to care for them or
who need special care, but their
family cannot provide.”
Gulwa said the community
and business people in Komani
supported them wh e n
aproached for help for the
double event.
“We were assisted by AR
Boards who sponsored us with
meat and braaied for us,
gynaecologist Dr Mihlali
Simama bought a mat for one of
our classrooms that
accommodates autistic pupils
so they need not sit directly on a
concrete floor. We received
drinks, snacks and other food
items from several businesses
and appreciate the support.”
“We are so very grateful for
all the support we receive. I
know we still have a long way to
go before we have the kind of
facility we envision, however,
we believe that everything is
how it is supposed to be and
change will come in due
c o u r s e .”