Christmas again for Phuthumani Primary School

By Atlegang Makgoba

Excitement was in the air at Phuthumani Primary School as staff and children celebrated the launch of a ground-breaking project on March 9.
The project involves three new classroom developments, refurbishments of 10 other classrooms and the donation of 196 learning tablets for Grade Five learners.
This was revealed at the ceremony where a three-year relationship between Attacq Foundation, Sage Foundation and the school was officiated.
The school was also graced by the presence of senior female dignitaries from the two foundations in celebration of International Women's Day.
The speakers included CEO of Attacq Jackie van Niekerk, global marketing director of the Sage Foundation Joanne van der Walt, transformation director of Sage Foundation Faith Ramusetheli and Attacq Foundation chairperson Monica Molise.
Also present at the ceremony was SGB chairperson Bheki Vilakazi and the chief education specialist from the Department of Basic Education, Sebushi Maponya.
“We are very proud as Attacq to be part of the empowerment of our community. We want to create a sustainable foundation for the people of our community and Phuthumani is part of the Attacq community,” said van Niekerk.
The school’s principal, Shadrack Hlatshwayo, was delighted with the initiative implemented at the school.
While addressing the audience, he stated he felt proud to be a ‘phuthumanian’.
“It gives us joy and happiness to see companies like Sage and Attacq seizing the opportunity to plough back into the communities where they do business as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“Through this gesture, the foundations are bringing us closer to the goal of opening the doors of learning and culture as correctly captured in that famous 1955 document, the Freedom Charter,” said Hlatshwayo.
Sage Foundation also celebrated the launch of an online curriculum for the Grade Five learners at the school, who will receive 196 tablets.
Nombuso Tiyiwe, a teacher at the school, said these new tablets will help aid the children to grasp content faster.
“We are excited about the new tablets. It is a powerful tool to educate children,” said Tiyiwe.
Educator's assistant Nontsikelelo Kalashe, who is a former learner of the school, said the tablets will provide the learners with a fighting chance to compete with other learners when they go to high school.
“These tablets will bridge the gap between learners who already have access to technological devices for learning and those who might not have been afforded the same opportunities,” said Kalashe.
The school, which hosts 1 366 learners, hopes to see a decrease in class sizes.