FIFTY fully functional computers were donated to Phambili High School by the Afrisam Coedemore Quarry in the Rossburgh area. The donation included furniture as well as other necessary equipment for a computer lab which was officially opened on Tuesday, 31 May. The event was attended by representatives from Afrisam, eThekwini Municipality, the Department of Education (DoE), Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) as well as the ward councillor.
Afrisam’s Corporate Social Responsibility Professional, Senzi Mabaso, said the school had initially approached them for cement but they opted to donate something else instead. “As a cement manufacturing company, Phambili High School had approached us for a cement donation. We then visited the school and saw its principal’s efforts in trying to improve his pupils’ lives,” she explained. Mabaso said that is when they decided to donate a computer lab instead as it would benefit the pupils’ learning and aid them with life long skills. “Before donating, we had to check for the programme’s sustainability and ensure that all pupils would benefit from it,” she added.
Political Adviser to eThekwini Mayor, Zakes Nkosi, on behalf of the mayor officially unveiled the new computer lab. “This is an honourable and noble gesture. Congratulations to the school as well as its pupils. They are the most important people because without them, there would not be this event today and we wouldn’t be celebrating,” he said.
The guest speakers also congratulated the school as well as its principal for his commitment to finding provisional funding. The school rated under a group five rating of school and only receives 10 per cent from the DoE.
The DoE and the school will maintain and sustain the project further. Afrisam representatives said the company has committed to making renovations to the staff room which is in progress.
