There was a hype of activity on Friday last week as Sandvik Botswana made a donation of a rebuilt classroom to Bothatogo Primary School. The new classroom is expected to reduce the teaching space challenges which continue to trouble the school.
The donation ceremony brought to Bothatogo, local authorities, regional education authorities, Khoemacau Mining and Barminco representatives and the Bothatogo community.
The classroom project, which was done to the value of P270 000 was done by Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Botswana, which is currently contracted by Barminco at the Khoemacau’s mining Zone 5 operation.
Bothatogo Village, which lies just 10 kilometres east of Sehithwa, forms part of the communities in the peripheries of the area of this mining operation, has benefitted from the deliberate move by Sandvik to give back to the community as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Giving the introductory remarks on the project, Sandvik Botswana Service Manager Ernest Modise highlighted that education is of great interest to the company. He indicated that the classroom donation symbolises the company’s believe in creating a conducive environment for learning.
To this end Modise noted that education plays a critical role in their company’s operations, hence their interest in helping make learning better at the grassroots to ensure a smooth transition to the higher levels.
It was for this reason, he said that the company made a needs assessment at Bothatogo Primary school and came up with a solution to bridge the learning space challenges, by refurbishing the classroom.
Kgosi Tjizako Munduu of Bothatogo was all praises and expressed gratitude to Sandvik and partners for their continued assistance to the communities in the area. He stressed that the classroom donation was just one of the many such initiatives in the village by Sandvik, among them the Sehitwa – Bothatogo road.
Principal Education Officer – North West Kgomotso Mafhoko revealed that it has become norm that they receive such donations from Sandvik, Barminco and Khoemacau Copper Mining.
“We work with these three partners in that we now consider them as part as part of the education system in the north west. Their corporate social responsibility is very observable and commendable in the area,” he said.
He emphasised that the efforts by the company in helping with a conducive environment for learning, can only be reciprocated with improved results. Thus it was incumbent upon teachers and learners to work harder.
Meanwhile Bothatogo Primary School Parents Teachers Association (PTA)Chairperson Abidile Mmeleri, revealed Khoemacau Copper Mining had provided two tents which are currently used as classrooms.
“It is therefore our wish as the school community to see our results improving. We therefore want to assure you that we will try to improve our results,” she promised.
Meanwhile Sandvik ended the ceremony awarding prizes to the best performing learners in the various subjects from different classes.
