Meerhof School Principal, Kobus van der Merwe and some of the children who will use the wheelchairs Medipost Holdings recently donated to the school as part of its annual socioeconomic development initiatives.
Facilitating mobility to unlock educational potential and independence at Meerhof School.
Wednesday, 30 July 2025: A child’s education can change their future, and for learners with physical and learning disabilities, a supportive environment that helps them reach their potential plants the seeds for positive social change by reducing stereotypes and breaking down the barriers to socioeconomic inclusion.
“These wheelchairs have made a huge difference in our lives. They make it easier for us to get around and have given us a sense of independence we did not have before,” says using the wheelchairs donated by Medipost Holdings as part of its annual socioeconomic development (SED) commitment.
“We’re more confident, hopeful, and comfortable about our futures, and we know that more kids will use them when we leave school.” We are truly thankful to Medipost; your kindness and support mean so much to us.”
“According to the World Bank, the unavailability of assistive devices such as suitable wheelchairs is one of the most significant barriers to full social and economic participation for persons with disabilities, limiting education and employment prospects, while their cost of living often tends to be higher,” says Dr Victor Ramathesele, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medipost Holdings.
“As a future-orientated South African healthcare group, when we have the opportunity to contribute to SED initiatives, we prioritise programmes in the communities we serve that have a meaningful and sustainable impact for young people who are the driving force of real change for the future,” he says.
“This school is so vibrant, and the learners are competent and positive young individuals. We encourage them to develop their abilities and do their personal best, rather than compete against others, being led from dependence to independence, as reflected in our vision statement,” adds Meerhof School Principal Kobus van der Merwe.
Working with a limited budget, the Hartbeespoort, North West-based Meerhof School has maintained high educational standards, achieving a 100% matric pass rate over the past 17 years. It currently has 240 learners from grade R to grade 12 following the CAPS curriculum. The school also offers a differentiated CAPS curriculum to learners who cannot cope with the mainstream CAPS curriculum. Set in a former World War II hospital, the school’s boarding establishment offers residential accommodation for children with mobility requirements, among other things.
“We are awestruck by the difference Meerhof School is making in the lives of children, with many of their past pupils challenging the stereotypes and stigma of disability by going on to become teachers, lawyers, and other professionals whose careers demonstrate independence and make enormous contributions to society,” Dr. Ramathesele says.
“We trust that the donation of these mobility aids will support learners on their educational journey towards a brighter future. Equipped with a strong school foundation, Meerhof learners have a chance to excel in their chosen fields and challenge perceptions of what can be achieved—rewriting the narratives that fuel stigma and inequality, opening more opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
Medipost Holdings, which includes Medipost Pharmacy, MediLogistics, Kawari Wholesaler and Distributor, and the MediTraining Academy, provides a continuum of care in the dispensing, safe handling, and distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and medical consumables nationwide.
The Group’s wheelchair donation is the latest in a multilayered series of SED initiatives, which have also provided bicycles to children in rural areas to help them get to school, contributed to lifesaving heart operations for children, and supported various NGOs that are making a positive impact in their communities.
Meerhof School Governing Body Chairperson Reverend W. Venter says, “The school is grateful for private institutions like Medipost, enabling us to fill all the gaps over and above the departmental budget’s reach.”
“On behalf of the staff, parents, and learners of Meerhof School, we are sincerely grateful to Medipost Holdings for the donation of these quality wheelchairs from Wheels on the Run,” the headmaster, Mr. Van der Merwe, reiterates.
“Alongside our fundraising initiatives, donations such as these are invaluable in helping learners grow into well-rounded individuals with the confidence to hold their place in this world—and live up to our school motto: ‘From dependence to independence,’” Mr Van der Merwe concludes.
For more information about Meerhof School, please visit https://www.meerhofschool.co.
