Learners and teachers from Sedi Laka Primary School in Kaalfontein were delighted to unveil two new classrooms on 15 April.
Rand Water donated two mobile classrooms to the school as a part of their socio-economic development initiative.
School principal Mazwi Mzamo shared words of gratitude on behalf of the Department of Education, the school’s governing body as well as all stakeholders of the school. “We do not have many resources as an institution, as expected, all public ordinary schools are struggling. The issue is that we have an influx of learners coming from different provinces looking for greener pastures,” said Mzamo.
“Here we are today with Rand Water who have donated two classrooms that will assist us and enable us to deliver to our mandate.”
He added that the donated classes will play a big role in combatting overcrowding at the school.
He explained that learners and teachers had no space, so they will be putting the classes into use as soon as possible. “Two classes might not be enough but they really are a big gift to us… The situation is dire economically as I speak.
“We are grateful however and therefore encourage that if businesses have resources they must also plough back to the poor communities and schools.”
Rand Water’s socio-economic development (SED) coordinator, Paddy Nhlapo shed some light on the initiative and why they decided to help Sedi Lake Primary School. He said that the project was part of their SED programme where they help give back to the communities where they have worked on water infrastructure.
Through the SED programme, they also work with local enterprises and engage with community members through a local community liaison officer as well as the local ward councillor.
Nhlapo said they worked through the office of the councillor with the help of the local community liaison officer who identified the needs, but did not choose who would benefit. “We then decided based on the need, the number of learners, issues around accommodation and the fact that the school was the only one in the area to donate [to],” he concluded.
