Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) embarked on its annual corporate social investment (CSI) by revamping Tembisa Secondary School.
On July 9, CCBSA employees rolled up their sleeves to make the school look new for the new term.
CCBSA CSI specialist Georgett Naidoo said on the day they had more 250 employees volunteering, which is part of CCBSA’s gesture of giving back.
“It is called employee community work day. Employees commit to work one full day in a community for which they are granted community leave. Tembisa is one of our key focus area and that is why we are here today, to make a difference in the community. Tembisa has more than 100 CCBSA outlets. We are, therefore, also trying to recycle in this community,” said Naidoo.
Naidoo added that CCBSA’s relationship with Tembisa Secondary extends further as the school is also part of a school recycling programme.
Tembisa Secondary principal Steven Ngwane said he feels humbled by the continuous gesture shown to the school by CCBSA. “This partnership started last year with a revamp of about seven classes and this year it is continuing. We hope this partnership will never stop.
“We want to thank CCBSA CSI manager Georgett Naidoo for offering our school such an opportunity,” said Ngwane.
He said from the school’s side they will encourage learners to take care of the investment that CCBSA made.
“They must look after this investment so that whenever CCBSA comes back, they find the investment in the same condition. We appeal to CCBSA to assist us in building a school hall, since the school has no hall. It is very difficult to accommodate parents when we have meetings, especially when it is cold or raining,” Ngwane appealed to CCBSA.
Executive member of the Tembisa Secondary alumni Joe Mkhombo commended CCBSA for the good gesture they have shown the school.
He said what CCBSA has done for the day is in line with what the Tembisa Secondary alumni is planning to do to empower learners in the school.
“We need to develop a road map towards celebrating the school’s 60th birthday. We, therefore, hope to partner up with big corporates like CCBSA in realising the dream, and we plan to make it an annual celebration for the school,” said Mkhombo.
Ekurhuleni North District official for the education department Lucky Mpahana said they are so pleased with CCBSA for their wonderful endeavour in helping the school.
“This is the time where we need their help most, since Tembisa Secondary will be launching their hospitality project. We need more of these types of gestures, it came at the right time and we appreciate this. We hope this relationship won’t die today, but continue assisting the children in the school,” said Mpahana.
Employee from CCBSA Joburg Central Liz Wantenaar said everybody was so excited to be part of giving back in Mandela Month.
“We use this opportunity to thank management who enabled us to come in to paint and renovate; to make the school a better place conducive to teaching for the learners returining from holidays.
“I think they will be excited to see a bit of a facelift to their school.
“Thank you CCBSA, and Tembisa Secondary for hosting us. We are looking forward to the next one we can help with,” said Wantenaar.
