Cape Town: She has been dubbed Mamma Delft and the community’s superhero as she continues to feed matriculants breakfast before their final examinations every day.
Wilhelmina Heynes, 63, began the initiative a few years ago and is continuing despite the challenges of lockdown and the global pandemic.
Everyday Heynes of the Masimthembe HIV and Aids Enrichment Centre in The Hague, Delft, gets up at 5am and presents breakfast to 15 pupils from neighbouring schools in her community.
This year she dedicates breakfast to pupils from Rosendal High, Perseverance High and Symphony High.
The initiative, Heynes told Weekend Argus, was to assist with the mental and emotional preparation for their end of year examinations.
Heynes receives no funding and uses her own resources to make it possible.
The National Senior Certificate examinations began on October 27 with 73 966 candidates in the Western Cape.
Last year, 54 741 pupils participated in the examinations, according to the department of education.
Departmental spokesperson, Millicent Merton said Heynes had inspired another community to carry out a breakfast initiative for pupils.
“Ms Heynes is a pillar of the community and has been involved in numerous programmes over the years to empower and uplift women and young people,” said Merton.
“She is also the inspiration behind a similar breakfast initiative in Heideveld.
“We welcome support for our learners during the exams and are grateful for partners like Ms Heynes who share our values of caring, innovation and responsiveness.”
Heynes said she realised the challenges pupils faced back in 2016 and decided to do something about it.
“I am doing this because of my passion,” said Heynes.
“Some parents work and can’t prepare breakfast for their kids.
“Some households do not have food and our children must go write exams on an empty stomach.
“Some of our kids do not have a decent place to study and the environment is not suitable for them.
“I am doing this so that the matrics know how important they are.
“They come and enjoy their breakfast and then feel at ease to write their examination with a good heart and spirit.”
Heynes said daily she makes sure she has guest speakers from various organisations and departments to encourage and guide the pupils: “They receive motivation from different speakers in the morning which is good soul food to empower and enrich them to pass their matric with flying colours.
“When they leave in the morning they don’t look the same as when they came in the morning.
“We also educate them that education is power and that you can't pass if you don’t study.
“Last year we had Northlink College assist them with bursaries.”
Ward Councillor Michelle Adonis said they were honoured to have Heynes in their community because she is laying a foundation for the future.
She said Heynes has been hailed a local hero.
“She has been doing this in her own capacity for years without any funding,” she said.
“What she does is fantastic because she is planting that seed for the future.
“These children will never forget her.
“She is our Mamma Delft, our superhero.”
Adonis said she would be selecting the 15 pupils for a Learner’s Licence programme soon.
Weekend Argus