SALGA Cares Initiative Brings Hope to Children in Ledig

Posted: 14 March 2025

For the North West province, the SALGA CARES initiative was officially launched at Tswaidi Secondary School in Ledig on 14th March 2025. This initiative was pioneered by the South African Local Government Association but later became a collaboration between SALGA, Old Mutual, Meropa Healing Organisation, Chartered Institute of Government Finance Audit & Risk Officers (CIGFARO), and Moses Kotane Local Municipality, aimed to address challenges such as poverty, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and bullying that have plagued the school and surrounding communities.

By providing essential care products, advocating for gender equality, and fostering resilience, the SALGA CARES Project worked to create a brighter future for learners. The initiative went beyond material support but rather represented a broader movement for positive change. As part of the launch, learners were encouraged through motivational talks by Old Mutual, CIGFARO and SALGA and, a symbolic drumming ceremony, by Meropa that raised awareness about crime, drugs, and bullying.

This initiative provided 180 disadvantaged learners—both boys and girls—with dignity packs containing hygiene essentials such as sanitary pads, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, facecloths, body lotion and petroleum jelly. Water bottles and caps were donated to sports teams while matriculants were given laptop bags in anticipation of the need for those in the next phase of their academic journey. A short lecture on the role of citizens in contributing to a successful local government was presented and copies of My Local Government children's books (compiled by SALGA) distributed.

It is a reality that in some communities, the lack of hygiene and essential care items disrupts teaching and learning in various ways. So, by addressing the basic needs of learners, SALGA and its valued partners helped remove barriers that prevented learners of Tswaidi Secondary School from fully engaging in their education. This initiative ensured that children would attend school with confidence and dignity, reinforcing the idea that investing in youth contributes to a stronger and more inclusive future for communities. This project was a step towards ensuring that no child was left behind due to a lack of basic necessities and inspired hope for a better future for learners.