SANParks officially handed over a science laboratory worth R1.2m to Jacob Mdluli High School in Makoko on August 24.
Makoko is a village outside the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Numbi Gate – the lab handover forms part of SANParks’ social legacy programme, which focuses on community development in areas adjacent to a national parks.
The science lab is meant to enhance science learning and teaching at the school with the view of improving the standard and quality of education.
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“In the past, our approach to community development was more on providing access to benefits that accrue from our business, the matter of social legacy enables us to provide facilities and other resources that are identified as needs in a specific community for their benefit. SANParks is one of the biggest employers in the area and this is one opportunity wherein we engage at school level to contribute to the development of future science leaders,” said the KNP’s managing executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.
This handover at Jacob Mdluli High follows another science lab facility worth about R1.5m that Mthimkhulu handed over to Bunny Khosa High School in Ximungwe outside the Paul Kruger Gate on June 21 on behalf of SANParks.
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“The country’s resources need to be spread equally among all the people so that we can contribute in building a better society. We need to find a common and sustainable approach of channelling such programmes in a way that contributes to improved socio-economic situation in our communities. These programmes support government’s mandate towards community development and is also in line with SANParks’ vision: a world-class system of sustainable national parks reconnecting and inspiring society,” Mthimkhulu concluded.
For the past 10 years similar projects at high schools in both Mpumalanga and Limpopo such as Dumisani High in Mkhuhlu, Masiza High in Mbaula, Mahlale High in Welverdiend, Sibusisiwe High in Matsulu and Tlakulani in Giyani were also built and donated by SANParks. More schools around the country where national parks are situated also received similar facilities linked to the programme.
