As part of their initiatives to boost social development in disadvantaged communities, the Department of Education in the North-West Province and the Vodacom Foundation have joined hands to build a secondary school at Freedom Park near Rustenburg.
The Freedom Park Secondary School was officially handed over to the community of Freedom Park on Friday 13 April.
Vodacom Foundation and the Department of Education of North-West Province have contributed equally to the building of the new school.
For the secondary school learners in the 80 000-strong population of Freedom Park, getting to school has up to now involved a walk of up to 15km. Temporary structures had been built in the informal settlement for the primary school learners, but secondary school learners have had to walk to schools in neighbouring areas.
On Friday, however, there were smiles all around as the new secondary school in Freedom Park was opened, bringing freedom from the daily trudge that learners have endured up to this point.
In this joint project, Vodacom and the Department of Education aim to contribute to the national objective of reducing the enormous classroom backlogs in the country. At the beginning of 2005, there was a shortage of about 32 000 classrooms countrywide and of this, 3 500 classrooms are required in the North-West Province.
It is against this background that Vodacom Foundation and the Department of Education agreed to contribute R7.5 million each towards a R15 million project involving the building of two schools in Rustenburg and Migdol.
Vodacom's involvement in the project demonstrates its commitment to making a sustainable difference and ensuring that wherever it conducts its business, it creates a legacy of prosperity and satisfaction among communities.
The Managing Executive, Corporate Social Responsibility of the Vodacom Group, Monde Mama, said: "Vodacom is passionate about strengthening communities. One way of doing this is to invest in education where young people are equipped with all the necessary skills to meet the challenges of the global environment and ultimately contribute to South Africa's economy."
The North-West Department of Education has planned to deliver clean running water to 50 schools, fence 50 schools and renovate 28 schools, while 50 schools in the province will receive sanitation during this financial year.
Acting Superintendent-General for the North-West Education Department, Matanzima Mweli, says the partnership between Vodacom Foundation and the Department of Education to build schools in the province was an effective way of addressing the backlog in classrooms the country faces, as well as assisting local government to deliver necessary infrastructure and services.
"No country has succeeded if it has not educated its people. Joint strategic projects to build more schools with the Department of Education will play a key role in alleviating the shortage of classrooms. Walking long distances to seek education will be a thing of the past for learners of this area," he said.
The Vodacom/North-West Department of Education partnership has provided this community with a fully equipped school where not only classrooms have been built but also a laboratory, office space for heads of departments and administrators, as well as sports facilities.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, Vodacom Foundation will also explore options to ensure Internet connectivity in the school.
The building of the school has already had an impact on the community in that it created employment opportunities for many, including suppliers and builders.
On Saturday, 21 April, Vodacom Foundation and the Department of Education in the North-West will open another school in the Migdol area.
Share
Editorial contacts