LYDENBURG – In a pursuit to give back to the community, Glencore Lydenburg Smelter donated winter school uniforms to needy learners in the town and surrounding areas on Thursday March 12.
More than 250 learners from 13 schools benefited from the project and the beneficiaries were filled with gratitude when they were presented with their school essentials.
The company’s general works manager, Mr Conroy van der Westhuizen, said the initiative was started four years ago, when staff members appealed to management to intervene after they had identified a number of needy pupils in the community.
“This initiative is part of our community responsibility in which we give back, especially to the needy and assist the families that are unable to meet their children’s academic needs.
“The schools were selected after a needs analysis was done in conjunction with Past Zodwa Hlatshwayo. She assisted us with information on how many learners were in need of school uniforms since she worked with the learners on a daily basis,” he explained.
Among the learners who benefited was Mary-J Johnson, a grade 3 learner of Kellysville Primary School who was jubilant to receive a pair of shoes. “I feel so fortunate to receive shoes since I lost my shoes a while ago and I had to walk barefoot to school,” she said. Mary-J is not the only learner who received shoes on that day.
“Lydenburg Smelter’s management team is committed to making a difference in the community and will continue to address the needs of our people,” said Van der Westhuizen.
