​As part of Gauteng Provincial Government’s Back-to-School campaign, Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mbali Hlophe on Monday, 16 January 2023, encouraged learners of Mahlenga Senior Secondary School to consider taking agriculture as a future career.
While distributing about 300 school uniforms and 25 dignity packs to the vulnerable and orphaned children in Sokhulumi, approximately 25 km away from Bronkhorspruit in the Tshwane metro, she said, “Your parents invest so much in you to acquire education so please be better persons in the future”.

She stressed that, “Don’t let your current situation determine your future. If you think of your career path, look at your options and consider a future in agriculture because your area is rich in land. A basic commodity is food because it is required daily”.

MEC further said, “Waste management is also a venture to look into to make a living as this affects spaces reside in. There are a lot of options out there which possibly your parents never had, but you can be a pride of your family, as we wish you luck in your academic year”.

Amapiano singer and motivational speaker Lady Du encouraged learners to be the ones who break their family’s poverty cycle by working hard, “so that you can wealthy”.

Grade 12 Learner Phumlani Kabini (16) said, “We are grateful to the department and MEC Hlophe for this special visit and for opening our eyes to a number of career opportunities”.

The school uniform distributed has been manufactured by a local cooperative for children who are largely from poor and vulnerable households with little income or dependent on state grants.

The school uniform packs distributed by Gauteng Government consists of a pair of shoes, a pair of socks, a jersey, tunic/trouser/skirt, a pack of underwear, a vest, a bag. Dignity packs contained soap, moisturizer, sanitary towel.