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Barberton - Mpumalanga Good Samaritan Badanile Zulu has been honoured with a special award for collecting 5c coins to help impoverished children get school uniforms and groceries.
Provincial Education MEC Reginah Mhaule and Ehlanzeni district mayor Letta Shongwe used the announcement of the matric results in Barberton on 6 January to honour Zulu, 50, who is affectionately known as Make Zuka (the 5c woman).
"I am very happy to receive this award, which I believe rightfully belongs to community and business people because they are the ones who donated the coins to ease the lives of pupils," said Zulu, from Kanyamazane outside Mbombela.
Since starting the project in 2007, Zulu has managed to buy more than 700 school uniforms for poor children through the 5c donations.
In 2011, Ligwalagwala FM presenter Dumisane "DJ Madumane" Simelane stepped in and has since managed to help buy uniforms for nearly 2 000 pupils, using coins mostly collected from the station's listeners.
"This award serves as an inspiration for me to continue helping the pupils who want to be something for South Africa one day," she said.
MEC Mhaule said Zulu is an inspiration.
"This year we want acknowledgement for the contribution made by Make Zuka. It teaches children the value of giving at a very young age. I have been inspired by her courage and as such felt it necessary to use this occasion to honour her. She comes from a poor family and this has taught her patience and sharing," said Mhaule.
