As part of the annual Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, the Company participated in the Mandela Day programme on 18 July 2018. Members of staff, led by the Managing Director, paid a visit to the Company’s adopted school, Lufhereng Primary School in Soweto. During the visit, the Company continued its investment in the school through the donation of books and purpose-built furniture to further improve the school’s library facilities. The donations also included contributions from a private school, McAuley House Primary School in Parktown (for a good number of used books) and the furniture supplier (Mukulu Library Furniture Manufacturers, who donated a four-compartment browser box). The total amount spent by the Company on these donated items exceeded R65,000

Staff members spent more than the recommended “67 minutes for Mandela” touring the school’s physical facilities that continued to be well maintained, assembling the furniture and unpacking, tagging and shelfing the books. A noteworthy observation from the tour is that part of the premises of the school that got damaged during the December 2017 storms was yet to be repaired, which opens the school to potential burglary, theft and other attacks.

On its part, the School demonstrated the usual hospitality with a rendition of famous quotes of the late Nelson Mandela, provision of snacks and a formal letter of appreciation thereafter.

During the period since the last Committee meeting, the Company continued to play host to five unemployed learners one of whom unceremoniously but apparently voluntarily withdrew in May. The remaining learners have successfully completed their NQF Level 4 qualifications and are progressing well on the Level 5 studies.