On the eve of Youth Day, 500 pupils of schools in the Itsoseng area near Mahikeng in the North West received brand-new school shoes as well as cosy socks and beanies with which they can now brave the winter cold.
NWK visited four schools on the mornings of 14 and 15 June, where the 125 pupils at every school received a parcel consisting of the shoes, socks, beanies, shoe polish and brushes. The NWK branded string bags they received can be used to carry their school books and other necessities. The value of the donation is around R185 000.
The schools include Makwe Primary and Molekane Primary in Bodibe as well as Opadiatla Primary and Reitumetsu Primary in deeper Itsoseng. The principals and members of the school governing bodies were elated over the donations.
NWK has been undertaking this project since 2012/2013 and has furnished 5 500 pupils with these necessities to date. It is hosted in collaboration with the provincial Department of Education as well as Samuel Nkone, former area manager of Ditsobotla at the department.
The parcels were handed over by Benedict Modise, director of Economic Development at NWK, Johan Bezuidenhout, group manager of Corporate Marketing and Communication, Petra Seymore, coordinator of marketing and liaison as well as Ephraim Matshane, clerk of Office and Stock Services at NWK.
“We often wonder if we can still make a difference in this country and the answer is an unequivocal ‘yes’. Sometimes it is the smaller deeds that make a much bigger impact. Today may be the day a learner receives his/her very first pair of new shoes. It cannot leave their beings unchanged,” said Johan.
He continued by saying that for NWK, as South Africa’s oldest agricultural company, this project is close to the company’s heart. “The heartbeat of agriculture resides in the rural areas and its people. We will always, for as long as it is within our means, plough back to the communities within which we operate. Charity begins at home.”
It is a privilege to have this annual initiative of NWK coincide with Youth Month. “It is a month during which we want to give back to the youth of the country. We believe that the thousands of pupils who have already benefitted from this project, will continue to leave an impression wherever they tread.”
