By unearthing opportunities, our solutions have the power to improve lives. This is not only true for our technical solutions but also for how we view our participation in creating a better world. What it comes down to is that our primary goal is to positively impact the lives of others, particularly the communities in which we work and live.
Photo: Team members of VBKOM and SSM are playing ball
VBKOM and our local Northern Cape Joint Venture, Sehlare Sa Meetlwa (SSM), reached out to a major mining house in the Northern Cape to find out how and where we could help the local communities.
After many engagements with the socio-economic development (SED) consultants from two mines based in Kathu and Postmasburg respectively, it was determined that there were a few schools in desperate need of assistance. One primary school was identified in each region, and the balls literally started rolling.
On 1 and 2 December 2022, Eduan Pieterse, VBKOM Executive, and SSM Director, headed out with a few VBKOM and SSM employees to visit two primary schools to deliver some much-needed sports equipment. Each primary school received 10 soccer balls, 2 practice soccer nets, 10 netball balls, and 2 ball pumps.
Eduan was joined by VBKOM staff members Langanani Ilefo, Human Capital Officer, and Tiffany Verwey, Project Management and -Support Consultant. Several SSM staff members also got involved, namely, Asiphile Mavumengwana, Civil Engineer-in-Training; Tuduetso Thamage, Junior Project Administrator; Billa Neels, Project Administrator; Peggy Masilela, Industrial Engineer-in-Training; and Matsobane Malapile, Civil Engineer-in-Training.
On the 1st of December, the team visited Maikaelelo Primary School in Olifantshoek. During this visit, they met with Principal Mr. Malgaas, Deputy Principal Mr. Kopedi, and a number of the learners. The VBKOM and SSM teams saw this as an opportunity to have some fun seriously and played netball with the learners.
Photo: VBKOM and SSM members with some staff members and learners from Olifantshoek Maikaelelo Primary School
On the 2nd of December, the team visited Refentse Primary School in Groenwater. They were greeted by many of the learners and met the principal, Mr. Tshenolo Joseph Gopane, and sports facilitator, Mr. Jacob Thipe. The principal addressed the learners, after which he handed over to VBKOM’s Langanani Ilefo, Human Capital Officer. The sports equipment was distributed, and a few netball and soccer matches were played with the learners.
Although the sports equipment is a small gesture, we acknowledge that the needs of the two schools are many and costly. VBKOM and SSM have undertaken to build a relationship with these two primary schools, and together with the SED consultants, to become more involved with these two schools in 2023 in other ways. We will also start getting involved with two local high schools in 2023.
VBKOM and SSM recognise the need to grow and support the youth of our country. Helping young children play and develop through sports is but the first step in the journey.
Photos: Maikaelelo Primary School, Olifantshoek
Photo: Refentse Primary School, Groenwater
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