Work on the refurbishment of the school buildings as well as the installation of the lab, serving the disadvantaged community of Gugulethu informal settlement, began in July 2011 due to Gijima’s involvement with the Nelson Mandela International Day. Work was completed in June this year. The combined value of the investment in the school by Gijima and the WCED is R472,000.
The launch of the lab will be hosted by Gijima’s Western Cape regional office and the WCED, in keeping with the company’s CSI collaborative policy. Gijima has a footprint across all the regions where the company operates in an effort to give back to the communities it serves in a sustainable manner.
Head of Education in the Western Cape Penny Vinjevold says the WCED is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Gijima. “The department appreciates the company’s investment in education and their commitment to improve opportunities for learners of Intshinga Primary School. The WCED is serious about the use of technology to strengthen teaching and learning in the province. This installation will help to ensure that the children of Intshinga develop the skills needed for the digital world.”
Intshinga Primary school principal, Vuyokazi Vinqi, enthused, “We appreciate the good gesture, commitment and value that Gijima has added to our school. We are also excited about this partnership, which is going to help develop our learners’ and educators’ computer skills and confidence in using technology. Before the installation of the lab, most of our learners had only ever seen computers in magazines or on television. Now they have been granted this great opportunity to interact with technology daily for their learning. This is a blessing and we are so grateful.”
Regional Executive for Gijima Becky Mosehle says, “Our CSI initiatives are sustainable in nature and thus we will continue to offer all the necessary support to the school in partnership with the relevant stakeholders, such as the Western Cape Education Department. We also believe that this partnership will have a value-adding effect to Gijima by further enhancing and promoting our brand in the region.”
