Over 200 Mvelaphanda Primary School learners receive school shoes
Mathavha thanked Saint-Gobain on behalf of the learners and school.
On March 02, 215 learners at Mvelaphanda Primary School in Thembisa had smiles on their faces after Saint-Gobain employees handed them new pairs of school shoes.
The initiative is in line with the company’s ongoing contribution to the school, which started in 2015.
Sipho Mofokeng, junior account manager, said, “The learners can now have dignity, compete with their peers and have a more bearable winter.”
“Saint-Gobain’s long-standing relationship with Mvelaphanda Primary School began in 2015 with its investment in the school’s new ablution facilities as part of the group’s 350th anniversary.
“Over the years, the company has continued to support Mvelaphanda by painting, cleaning and renovating, as well as planting vegetables at the school,” added Mofokeng.
The shoes were handed over by Jean-Claude Lasserre, the CEO of Saint-Gobain Africa, to Thomas Mathavha, the school headmaster. The shoes were handed in the company of dignitaries from the French consulate, the Gauteng Department of Education, Kaya FM and the Thembisa ward committee.
Mathavha thanked Saint-Gobain on behalf of the learners and school.
“This gift will give dignity to children who have never owned a pair of new shoes, and enable them to compete with their peers. Thanks to Saint-Gobain’s continued support, Mvelaphanda is one of the top 10 schools in Ekurhuleni,” said Mathavha.
The event also focused on discussions about the different elements that build a conductive learning environment. They also discussed how Saint-Gobain can improve acoustics and thermal comfort as both key elements encourage optimal and knowledge absorption.
“Saint-Gobain is happy to see that the school has grown significantly from 850 learners in 2015, to over 1 000 in 2020. This partnership highlights our continuous commitment to learning and education and the decrease of youth unemployment in South Africa.
“Mvelaphanda is one of the schools we will continue to support each year through our Mandela Day initiatives,” concluded Lasserre.
