Ligwalagwala FM launched the 2020 Back-to-School campaign by making a charitable contribution of a number of school uniforms to John Mdluli Primary School on Thursday, 23 January 2020. This commitment follows the station’s collaboration with Lowveld Wholesalers in 2019 when the local uniform stockiest partnered with the station on a Youth Month campaign. This saw some of Ligwalagwala FM’s on-air presenters dressed in the donated school uniform and re-enacting the popular youth struggle film, Sarafina, which was shot at John Mdluli Primary School. Ligwalagwala FM’s CSI partner, Super B was also able to assist to amplify the donated goods.
Through these partnerships, Ligwalagwala FM was able to cater to 12 boys and 12 girls’ full school uniform, which consisted of shirts, trousers, ties, socks, and tunics for the girls and all 24 pupils benefiting from school shoes and jerseys. The station also added blankets for the identified students to give to their guardians as a token of appreciation for their sacrifice of ensuring that irrespective of the circumstances at home, the guardians can put the children’s education first.
“As part of our responsibility to demonstrate SABC’s commitment to education, Ligwalagwala partnered with Lowveld Wholesalers and Blinkwater Mills to make a lasting impact in the communities our listeners and future leaders call home. Ligwalagwala FM is the home of education and information in Mpumalanga; and by playing our part through this back-to-school initiative, we wish to provide hope, dignity and a sense of renewed possibility to scholars,” said Rio Mabunda, Acting Provincial Manager at SABC Mpumalanga.
“Back to School initiative is not just about giving school uniform. The uniform, however, will help instil a culture and attitude of responsibility, focus and unity amongst the pupils of John Mdluli Primary School. The school also prides itself on these pillars.”
“We are grateful for the compassion Ligwalagwala FM has shown to our learners and identifying us as their school of choice. It gives us pride that some of John Mdluli Primary’s former pupils, like Kingdom, have gone on to become great influencers to the newer generation of students. We are honored to have been the foundation on which his successes at Ligwalagwala FM are built on,” said Ms Sibongile Sibuyi, Principal at John Mdluli Primary School.
Sifiso Mkhabela, known on the air-waves as Kingdom, was one of the Ligwalagwala FM presenters who were present at his alma mater for the hand-over of the uniform packs. He also passed on some wisdom on how the school instilled discipline and good habits that have contributed to his success in the entertainment industry. Kingdom was supported by fellow presenters: Madumane, TBoy, Fortune Ntekati, Professor Mlu, Mancane, The Best Man, TDK and Lady of Soul.
