Johannesburg - The Hoërskool Rustenburg played a rugby game against a high school in Boksburg at the weekend - and left with five tons of food donations, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
Alta Greyling, who was in charge of the collection of food donations at Hoërskool EG Jansen, east of Johannesburg, said parents and businesses responded overwhelmingly positive to the request.
Hoërskool Rustenburg teacher Danie Greyling said the donations were “wonderful”.
“Our parents and learners are really suffering and this will make a huge difference. Many parents last earned a salary months ago and their food cupboards are empty,” said Greyling.
He said the Hoërskool Wonderboom in Pretoria also recently made donations when Hoërskool Rustenburg played a rugby match there.
The North West town of Rustenburg is buckling under a mining strike on the platinum belt that started in January, making it one of the longest strikes in South Africa's history.
Widespread reports of intimidation have kept many mineworkers home.
Government-mediated negotiations were set to finish on Monday. So far, there was no indication of what its outcome would be. - Sapa