In line with Babcock’s social commitment to uplifting communities around our operations, we engaged with the Bokantsho Primary School in Viljoensdrift, Free State to undertake much-needed renovations at the school.
Located approximately 5 km from the Lethabo Power Station, the school provides an essential service to the community and caters for Grade R to 7 learners from different township including neighbouring farms. The majority of the learners comes from nearby farms and impoverished families who cannot afford to pay school fees. The school participates in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) which provides food for learners on a daily basis. Currently the school has 198 learners.
The school upgrade team comprised Diana Tshivhase (GM Babcock), Eddie Enslin (Project Manager Babcock Lethabo), Danie Steenkamp (Babcock Buyer) and Nomsa Mahlangu (Project Accountant Babcock Lethabo), as well as Eskom personnel including Station Manager Karabo Rakgolela and their Communications and Stakeholder Officer Phumzile Maphalala.
The team engaged a civil construction company and electrical companies to upgrade the school buildings, comprising the classrooms, kitchen, hall, administration building and toilets. The scope of work was extensive and included painting of walls, repairing and replacing ceilings, doors, windows and roofing, installing new flooring, repairing and upgrading of the electrics and plumbing, and removing of the old fence and installing a new one.
T.A Lengana, the school’s principal, says that Babcock’s contribution and assistance is highly appreciated and valued, and ensures that learners are taught in an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. The support also contributes to learners’ holistic development by providing adequate resources for all learners, and will contribute to improving the learners’ confidence and their self-worth.
