KwaGuqua schools beat the burglars and weather the storm
Schools in the KwaGuqua area have big plans for how they will use their winnings from the Cashbuild Art-at-Heart competition.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2014/04/zs256.jpg)
From new ceilings to newly installed security gates, Itireleng, Phakama Combined School and six other KwaGuqua schools will soon realise their dreams of improving their schools.
On March 27 each of the schools received a Cashbuild building materials voucher to the value of R12 000 when the Cashbuild KwaGuqa Store officially opened.
Itireleng Primary School’s principal Ms Pulane Setadi said: “Our school was affected by floods, which caused a large tree to fall onto the school’s roof, resulting in a lot of damage. We now need to repair the school’s roof and ceiling, gutters as well as the admin block’s roof before the ceiling caves in. We are also planning on buying wood for new desks as the learners are currently seated on crates and buckets. When these projects are completed, we would also like to replace the school’s main gate, small walk-through gate as well as the carport.”
Principal Ms Thembani Mahlangu from Phakama Combined School said: “The school has had many burglaries recently. The burglars stole copper wires and caused the electricity to be cut off. We would like use our Cashbuild voucher to buy materials to fix this.”
At the official Cashbuild KwaGuqua store opening ceremony when the building material vouchers totalling R96 000 were presented to all eight schools, the children entertained everyone with singing, cultural dances and theatrical performances.
The Cashbuild Art-at-Heart competition entails learners from each school submitting their best artwork to Cashbuild. This artwork is displayed at the ceremony, and then remains on display in the Cashbuild store for the next five years.
Artwork was judged and three winners from each school were named. Winners received Cashbuild Art-at-Heart gold, silver and bronze certificates for first, second and third place respectively. The Manager’s Choice award was also presented to the overall winner, Kgwedi Baenetse from Itireleng Primary School for the artwork competition. This award was announced on the day and the winner received a stationery pack and a glass trophy.
The schools and children that benefited from the Cashbuild Art-at-Heart donations were:
*Itireleng Primary School – Nomthandazo Mamarara (gold award), Ronald Malepe (silver) and Mpho Mokwena (bronze);
*Mogalitwa Primary School – Sam Motau (gold award), Dineo Nkosi (silver) and Sipho Malaza (bronze);
*Maloma Primary School – Nomfundo Mthembu (gold award), Ntokozo Mathebula (silver) and Kevin Fana (bronze);
*Mmagobana Combined School – Tsepang Kgwte (gold award), Kghtso Seloga (silver) and Lessen Sekgobela (bronze);
*Siphendule Primary School – Sindy Mokwana (gold award), Mabaso Nhlanhla (silver) and Nelisiwe Dube (bronze);
*Nkonjane Combined School – Tebogo Senong (gold award), Thobile Mashego (silver) and Sonnyboy Mahlangu (bronze);
*Phakama Combined School – Siyabonga Mdluli (gold award), Dimakatso Makua (silver) and Michelle Shiloane (bronze);
*Laerskool Duvhapark – Siphesihle Bohlali (gold award), Mthandeni Masina (silver) and Samkelo Mathebula (bronze).
Since the Art-at-Heart campaign was launched 13 years ago, Cashbuild has helped more than 1 700 schools in Southern Africa with over R20-million worth of building materials. Cashbuild is BEE compliant and every time a store is opened, relocated or refurbished, Cashbuild not only makes donations to local schools, but also creates jobs for community members.
The Art-at-Heart competition is a southern African Cashbuild initiative whereby donations are made to some of the region’s most needy schools.