The learners and teachers at Ditawana Primary School turned what many people throw away into a ticket for exciting prizes in a Blue Ribbon Bread recycling competition.
The school welcomed a handover of 20 school desks from Blue Ribbon on August 4 after winning the competition in 2024.
According to the school departmental head for the intermediate phase, Victor Makhetha, the school encouraged learners and families to work together by collecting the used bread plastic bags instead of discarding them.
“We entered the competition in 2024 with Blue Ribbon and our learners did well by collecting most plastics and won the competition.
Karabo Makhuphula from Grade 4B collected the most plastic bags walks away with a winter care pack from Blue Ribbon.
“We were supposed to receive the prize in 2024, but the management of Blue Ribbon changed. Early this year, we wrote a letter to the company to enquire about the matter.
“The executives then visited the school to inform us that they would be giving us the prize of R30 000, but they do not offer cash prizes. They urged the school to identify any projects to be supported,” Makhetha said.
He added that the school decided to use the prize towards the learners’ furniture, especially in the intermediate phase.
“We believe the furniture will go a long way for our learners. As a school, we are very relieved to receive the furniture because most times our learners use plastic chairs that easily break. Some of the learners also end up sitting on containers due to the shortage of chairs.”
Learners from Ditawana Primary School offloading the furniture that was handed over by Blue Ribbon. Photos: Ofentse Mkase
Makhetha added that they wish their relationship with the company could continue.
“Our relationship with Blue Ribbon has come a long way. They used to sponsor us with bread and rolls at school events. We would write a letter to them informing them about our events, and they would respond positively.”
One of the learners, Karabo Makhuphula from Grade 4B, collected the most plastic bags and walked away with a winter care pack from Blue Ribbon.
Blue Ribbon also donated bread to Ditawana Primary School on August 4.
The promotion supervisor for Blue Ribbon, Boitumelo Morake, said the donation is part of the company’s CSI projects.
“We love such initiatives and most of all we love giving back to our communities and ensuring that our learners have a conducive teaching and learning environment,” Morake said.
The teachers of Ditawana Primary School congradulating Karabo Makhuphula from Grade 4B for collecting most plastic bread bags.
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