Bitou Municipality is proud to announce a collaborative effort with Standard Bank and Tebelo NPO to support two underprivileged schools in the Plettenberg Bay area. 

Through this partnership, Bitou Municipality has donated toiletry bags filled with essentials to assist learners who are in need.

This idea was first hitched by Bitou Municipality’s IT Department who had the intention of donating sanitary towels to young schoolgirls. 

However, that expanded to include young boys, and this saw 80 learners get toiletry packs earlier this week. 

On Tuesday 40 dignity packs comprised of washing rags, soap, sanitary towels, sanitary bags, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were donated to Murray High School and another 40 were handed to Plettenberg Bay Secondary School. 

Speaking at the two ceremonies, Bitou Acting Corporate Services Director, Andile Namntu said this was the start of something that would be ongoing. 

Namntu said: “The Bitou Municipality IT is not all focused on cyber-threats, but they are compassionate and caring. 

“This handover will not only happen once, but it will also be something that we adopt and do continually. 

“We thank the Employee assistance program and IT for being shining examples of Bitou’s slogan ‘to be the best together’,” he added. 

Jaco Van Den Heever from Tebelo said: “It’s a privilege to be part of this initiative and to be able to support our learners to be at school every day so that they can reach their full potential. 

“We hope to partner more with Bitou Municipality and Standard Bank in the future on these programs.” 

Both schools were extremely grateful for the donations. 

Murray High School’s Headmaster, Mr Matywatywa, said: “On behalf of the few learners who will benefit from this initiative, we are appreciative.”

While Mr Julies of Plettenberg Bay Secondary said: “Some people think because we are in Plettenberg Bay and because they see such big buildings that the learners are all rich. 

“We are a no-fee school, and we appreciate all the help that comes,” he added.