Tony Yengeni will not have the burden of lifting heavy objects and cleaning toilets during his months of community service.

The former ANC whip pulled up in his black Mercedes-Benz at Gugulethu's Siyazama Educare Centre shortly before 8.30 yesterday morning. He is scheduled to carry out his service there.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt, casual trousers and a white golfing cap, Yengeni was met by Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore.

Yengeni is expected to carry out administrative tasks at the school. He explained that he would be assisting the school by connecting staff with those who can help them.

Principal Theodora Mamputa said Yengeni had been working at the school "for some time" and that he had played a positive role in helping Siyazama, which cares for disabled children.

Yengeni is required to work 16 hours of monthly community service. He started his service in Gugulethu at the beginning of the year, after he was released from Malmesbury Prison on January 15.

He served only four months of his four-year jail term.

When Yengeni and Dugmore arrived at Siyazama, they reported for a meeting with Mamputa.

She said that even though they were in the planning stages, "it was a good meeting, and in time there will be more support for the school".

Dugmore applauded Yengeni for setting an example, saying: "We always appreciate when leaders … want to come and assist communities at a local level, where it is needed most."

Yengeni, who was tight-lipped about the specific tasks he had already carried out at the centre, later disappeared into an office in the building.

When asked whether institutions in Gugulethu, where his parents live, needed more attention and funding, he replied: "You can see for yourself just when you're driving through the area that there is a need for help."

Correctional Services has refused to release the conditions of Yengeni's parole.

With acknowledgement to Leila Samodien and The Star.