By BRIAN KAJENGO
SANPARKS
DONATE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO TAKHELENI
PRE-SCHOOL
By BRIAN
KAJENGO
The Kruger
National Park (KNP)’s Managing Executive, Abe Sibiya officially handed
over a jungle gym to the Pre-School learners of Takheleni
Primary School at Matsulu Village Friday
21 February 2014.
Abbie Sibiya told
the people of Matsulu to make use of the property given to the school. He said
the money used to buy the jungle gym comes from the revenues collected from
tourist.
“This handover is
part of SANParks Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. Our support for
neighbouring communities includes providing infrastructure and related
resources in areas of education, youth development, health and other identified
needs hence we are giving this playing equipment today to the children of
Takheleni. Pre-School.
“Our People and
Conservation Department run programmes such as Environmental Education and Kids
in Parks where school children from previously disadvantaged background are
given free access to the parks and learn more about nature conservation.” said
The KNP Managing Executive, Mr Abe Sibiya.
“1% Community Levy
is charged on all reservations for accommodation and activities in order to
fund projects that support the surrounding communities in so as to improve
their lives by creating health and education facilities. We also assist in
creating water and sanitation projects in communities neighbouring our parks,”
concluded Sibiya.
At the same
event, SANParks officials also had a sod turning event for the new Kitchen
Block which is also part of the donation to Takhelani Pre-School
of which the construction is going to start soon in this year.
In 2012, SANParks
launched its new vision which says “Connecting to Society” as a strategy to
reach out to communities and ultimately, contribute to the government’s mandate
towards social development. Just last year in 2013, SANParks donated an
Administration block at Dumisani High School, a village outside Kruger Gate and a
Computer Laboratory at Masiza
High School in
Phalaborwa.
This happened on
Friday 21 February 2014 at Takheleni
School near Malelane.
Abbie Sibiya
promise the community of Matsulu that SANParks will build a computer laboratory
as part of education priority.
“I believe we need
to priotize in education in order to close the gap of scarce skill in this
country. The science laboratory is to utilize by everyone in the community.”
Abbie Sibiya said.
Takheleni Primary
School SGB Chairperson, Norman Mbokodo told Bvunzamutupo SADC VOICE that the
donation means a lot to the community as well as the pupils.
“We appreciate the
donation done by SANPark, on behalf of everybody here that we thank SANPark
with the help they give us. This is the foundation phase of education. This has
changed the environment of the school, and grade R learners will not give hard
times to the educators now.” Norman Mbokodo said.
Takheleni Primary
School Principal, Vusi Lubisi edged the parents to give much support their kids
and help to identify their talent.
“This is a good
initiative from SANPark and we expect these kids to be vigilant from they
support their get. These kids that benefited today are the first recipient to
benefit from this initiative. We are happy that the school will get a new
kitchen block which is to be build by SANPark. We thank ABE Sibiya and his team
for identifying our school to be the beneficiary of this project,”
said Vusi Lubisi.
The pupils of
Takheleni took everyone by surprise after they recited the poems and sang songs
related to environment.
They sang songs of
anti rhino poachers and the protection of conservation and its biodiversity.
Deputy Education
Specialist, Ethel Khoza emphasized that the foundation of every child is very
important.
“These are very
important to all of us because that the foundation of everybody’s life. This is
an extra mile taken by SANParks of ploughing back to the community of Matsulu.
It’s important to have other companies coming on board to empower our kids,” said
Ethel khoza.
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