School benefits from textbook donation

TO ensure the mining industry benefits the communities closest to them, De Beers Group has partnered with its contractors to initiate a contractor Corporate Social Investment (CSI) forum.

This forum aims to support and encourage non-owner participants in maximising the impact of their CSI efforts in communities surrounding Venetia Mine.

Mining company, Basil Read’s partnership with All Days Combined School and their donation of 180 textbooks is one of the success stories of this initiative. Mathematics, science, accounting, geography, business studies and economics textbooks and 100 scientific calculators to the value of R48 000 were handed over to the gr. 10 to 12 learners last Thursday.

“Our partnership with De Beers and Basil Read is going from strength to strength. They listened to us and were the first to raise their hands when we communicated our urgent need for textbooks. We are grateful that they are a part of the educational development of our community,” said the principal, Andries Serumula.

The partnership began in January this year when Basil Read appointed three mathematics and science teachers to the school. Their appointment mirrors the De Beers Teacher Subvention Programme, in which the mining company supports local schools by appointing highly skilled teachers with scarce skills and finances their salaries each month

“All Days teachers have such wonderful hearts and we are honoured and humbled to partner with De Beers and share in their vision for the community,” said Peet Lindeque of Basil Read.