SANParks handed over a science laboratory worth R1.2m to Jacob Mdluli High School in Makoko village near Numbi Gate last Thursday, August 24.

The Kruger National Park’s managing executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu, said the lab is meant to enhance science learning and teaching at the school, with the view of improving the standard and quality of education.

This handover followed another science lab facility, worth about R1.5m, being opened at Bunny Khosa High School in Ximungwe, Bushbuckridge, outside Paul Kruger Gate on June 21.

“The country’s resources need to be spread equally among all people so that we can contribute in building a better society. We need to find a common and sustainable approach of channelling such programmes in a way that contributes to improved socio-economic situations in our communities,” Mthimkhulu said.

He said these programmes support the government’s mandate towards community development, and is also in line with SANParks’ vision, ‘A world-class system of sustainable national parks reconnecting and inspiring society’.

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“In the past, our approach to community development was more on providing access to benefits that accrue from our business. The matter of social legacy enables us to provide facilities and other resources that are identified as needs in a specific community for their benefit. SANParks is one of the biggest employers in the area, and this is one opportunity wherein we engage at school level to contribute to the development of future science leaders,” he said.

Some learners of Jacob Mdluli High School got the chance to conduct some experiments in the new lab during the handover.

For the past 10 years, similar projects at high schools in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, such as Dumisani High in Mkhuhlu, Masiza High in Mbaula, Mahlale High in Welverdiend, Sibusisiwe High in Matsulu and Tlakulani Secondary School in Giyani, were also built and donated by SANParks.

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More schools around the country have received similar facilities linked to the social legacy programme, which focuses on community development in areas adjacent to the national parks.