Community-owned Marula Community Chrome (MCC), a 50% shareholder of the Makgomo Chrome Project, recently touched young lives by donating school bags, school shoes and calculators to just over 1 000 learners from our six host communities.
The handover of these valuable school resources was marked by a special event, hosted by the Kesaoboka Foundation, who identified the need and facilitated the donation of the school items with the funds provided by MCC. The Kesaoboka Foundation is an organisation that works in and uplifts local communities through a variety of developmental projects.
The collaboration between MCC and Kesaoboka Foundation showcased the power of partnerships in addressing the needs of less privileged families, in this case specifically the children. The donations of school resources not only offer practical help to the children who would otherwise be unable to afford these items, but also help to foster a sense of confidence when they are among their peers.
A small group of children represented each school at the event and were among the many dignitaries, which included Dr Jeffrey Fourrie Malatjie, a representative from the MEC’s office at the Limpopo Department of Education as well as Mr Modipe, counsellor of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality. Also in attendance were representatives of the Kgoshis, members of the relevant school governing bodies, the principals and teachers. Several speakers shared words of encouragement with the young learners at the event.
One of the learners, Lehlogonolo Mashabela, from Ga-Mashishi spoke on behalf of all the beneficiary learners. “As learners, we are truly grateful to Kesaoboka Foundation and MCC for this generous donation of shoes, bags, and calculators. Our responsibility now is to honour this partnership by excelling in our school performance. This is the greatest gift we could have received,” she said.
One school principal, Mr Moses Chauke, said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to MCC and Kesaoboka Foundation for this initiative to empower our learners to do well in school through the donation of shoes, bags and calculators. We are confident that our learners will do well, as we know their capabilities. With your support, we are determined to succeed despite any challenges. This is not our first time gathered here on an initiative to empower learners, and we are grateful for your continued assistance.” His address emphasised the significance of local businesses in driving positive change in local communities.