More than 800 disadvantaged school learners could now put a smile on their faces as they were bestowed with brand new school uniforms and shoes – thanks to a school uniform and shoe drive by Harmony Gold and Lejweleputswa district municipality.
Braving the rainy day on Friday, February 17, at Embonisweni Primary School in Thabong in a room filled with various schools pupils and stakeholders, excitement was evident on the faces of school learners from Seabo, Daluvuyo, Lenyora, Thembekile, Embonisweni, Leboneng, Embonisweni, Kwetsa, Concordia and Marobe.
At least 833 much-needed pairs of school shoes, uniform and bag packs were donated by a fruitful partnership between Harmony Gold, Lejweleputswa district municipality and Matjhabeng local municipality and basic education in the district.
The donation was presented to the learners as social responsibility drive force.
Officials and representatives from Lejweleputswa district municipality, Lejweleputswa district education, Harmony Gold Mine and Matjhabeng municipality. Picture: Supplied.
According to Harmony Gold’s general manager Steven Green, the biggest gold miner had randomly picked schools, depending on the need and disparity of the community around the schools.
And through their observations, they liaised with the Lejweleputswa district education to identify disadvantaged pupils who needs school necessities most.
“As harmony we value education and we know that young people are facing socials ills in our schools hence we have decided with our partners to help and assist this young learners with school necessities,” said Harmony Gold’s Steven Green.
As part of accelerating Corporate Social Investment (CSI), Harmony Gold is versed in driving the school support programme to boost what it deems the two major contributors to quality education through school donations and running school projects.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Lejweleputswa district executive mayor Veronica Ntakumbana said, education plays a pivotal role in changing lives, and she further applauded Harmony Gold mine for giving back to the community.
“We must give credit to the mining giant, Harmony Gold for its social responsibility program, indeed charity begins at home, we thank Harmony Mine for this initiative and ploughing back to the community.,” said Ntakumabana.
Lejweleputswa district executive mayor Veronica Ntakumbana. Picture: Supplied.
“These initiative will go a long way in motivating learners hence we see more rural school performing exceptionally well and producing good results,” she added.
“Some of the children are going through a difficult upbringing, under very harsh conditions of coming to school with no shoes and lacking educational support.
Poverty and unemployment have left many rural parents unable to afford school shoes for their children,” stressed the mayor.
Ntakumbana closed-off her vote of thanks speech by quoting former President Nelson Mandela’s famous quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Lejweleputswa district education director Phaelo Zonke, took to the podium, and said the basic education upholds Section 29 of the constitution – which comprehends the right to a basic education.
He also stretched his hand to applaud Harmony Gold for pledging their support to the needy.
“Education serves as a cornerstone to end poverty and hunger, and with Harmony mine waging its support, this is a beautiful gesture to assist the needy,” said Zonke.
“This doesn’t only end here, we have been receiving other school supporting activities from Harmony, where it has aided the district education with offering school camps, handing out bursaries and offering free laptops to learners, indeed our working relations with this mining giant is yielding positive results,” added Zonke.
Matjhabeng municipality mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa highly acknowledged the presence of the mining giant in the Matjhabeng area, and for their prestigious effort in supporting learners within the vicinity of the district as whole.
Khalipa called on all businesses, especially the mining sector operating within Matjhabeng to support communities through job creation and pave the way for learners to access centres of learning.
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