FOCUS Improving
FOCUS Improving conditions for learning Northam Zondereinde continues to invest in school infrastructure in the Eastern Cape. Northam Zondereinde has fulfilled its commitment to the Social Labour Plan (SLP) by completing two school projects in the Eastern Cape, a region that has long been one of the company’s key labour-sending areas. These projects include the construction of Caguba Secondary School in Port St John’s Local Municipality and St Patrick’s Secondary School in Nyadeni Local Municipality. The collaboration between Northam Zondereinde and the Department of Education culminated into the official handover of these projects in April 2024. The ceremony was graced by the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, alongside local mayors, traditional leaders, and school stakeholders. Dali Duma, Executive Sustainability for Northam Platinum Holdings Limited, captured the essence of this initiative, stating, “The infrastructure represents more than mere bricks and mortar; it symbolizes our collective commitment to providing learners with a conducive learning environment that nurtures their potential and fosters their growth.” Each school received five classrooms, waterborne ablution facilities, replacing pit latrine toilets, for staff and learners, a borehole and a septic tank. Furthermore, both schools received a fresh coat of paint on the interior and exterior of existing buildings, along with repairs to the external walls of existing classrooms. The company also conducted electrical works in current classrooms and installed ceilings. Northam Zondereinde’s assistance extended beyond infrastructure, by providing each learner with a pair of school shoes and socks to help them through the winter season. “As you step into these shoes and make your way to school each morning, remember that Zondereinde cares and believes in you,” remarked Duma. The impact of these donations was felt deeply by the communities involved. MEC Gade highlighted the transformative effect on the lives of learners, noting how the provision of shoes and socks eased the financial burden on parents from impoverished backgrounds. School principals and learners alike expressed their gratitude, with one principal sharing on how the school had struggled with inadequate facilities before Northam Zondereinde’ s intervention. This initiative by Northam goes beyond corporate responsibility; it stands as a beacon of hope for learners and a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its promise of enhancing the lives of its communities, including the labour-sending areas. Through these targeted investments in education, Northam is actively changing lives and building a brighter future for generations to come. ■ LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2024/25 28
Booysendal Community Trust provides e-learning services Students at Tonteldoos Secondary School are learning essential digital skills. FOCUS Northam Booysendal has committed to providing e-learning services to Tonteldoos Secondary School in Draaikraal in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, as part of its ongoing support for education in its local communities. Many of the students at the school come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and access to quality educational resources is limited – through this Northam Booysendal Community Trust project, approximately 316 learners from Grade 8 up to Grade 12 are set to benefit. Tablets with interactive smart screens in five classrooms have been donated and learners have started utilising these devices, loaded with user-friendly digital materials and educational resources. The tablets ensure that students not only gain the know-how to use computers but also have access to a wealth of information and learning tools. By bridging the digital divide, the Trust is actively preparing learners for a brighter future, enhancing their educational experience and equipping them with essential skills for the modern world. Furthermore, the school has undergone security modifications, including the installation of security burglar bars and a clear-view fence. The introduction of these learning tablets is a transformative initiative in which the Northam Booysendal Community Trust aims to bridge the gap as the tablets will ensure that learners have access to better quality education and digital resources. Additionally, this initiative is set to enhance their computer skills, prepare them for the digital age and improve their ability to access and utilise information effectively. By empowering these students with modern technology, the Trust is actively contributing to their academic success and future opportunities. To ensure that the equipment is utilised correctly, learners and educators received training through mobile communications company Vodacom in April 2024. Through this eLearning project, learners at the school will be able to learn subjects such as Agricultural Sciences, Geography, Life Orientation, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Sepedi, English First Additional Language, Mathematical Literacy, Creative Arts, Natural Sciences and Technology as well as Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). Located in a rural and economically disadvantaged area, Tonteldoos Secondary School faces significant challenges as learners lack access to essential technology. Most learners do not have the resources to access the Internet, which puts them at a severe disadvantage in today’s digital world. ■ 29 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2024/25
