PIETERMARITZBURG – Learners at a semi-rural school in Kwa-Zulu Natal have more room to grow this year, thanks to two new classrooms donated by Key Group Pietermaritzburg through the GM Childlife Foundation.
Mike Hall-Jones (left), Key Pietermaritzburg MD and Colin Cowie, chairman of the GM Childlife Foundation look on as Gishma Johnson GMSA corporate communications manager and school principal Selby Madlala reveal the plaque. With them is Grace College principal, Vincent Luksich (right)
The new classrooms at Siyanda Secondary School, in the impoverished peri-urban Sweetwaters area outside Pietermaritzburg, were officially handed over to the school on Friday, 23 January 2015, just in time for the start of the new school year.
Principal Selby Madlala said enrolments had mushroomed to more than 1 100 last year, putting a tight squeeze on space for learners and teachers.
“We are in dire need of these classrooms. The Key Group’s assistance really means a lot to the school,” Madlala said.
The R400 000 project was funded by the GM Childlife Foundation, an initiative of General Motors South Africa (GMSA) and its dealer network. The manufacturing giant and its more than 130 dealers across South Africa contribute to the Foundation for every vehicle sold, resulting in over R12-million in support to more than 10 000 children and 54 projects countrywide since 2010.
Officially opening of the two new classrooms are school principal, Selby Madlala (left) and Gishma Johnson, GMSA corporate communications manager, with Mike Hall-Jones, Key Pietermaritzburg MD and Colin Cowie, chairman of the GM Childlife Foundation.
Key Pietermaritzburg managing director Mike Hall-Jones said the donation to Siyanda Secondary was part of the dealership’s wider corporate social responsibility programme. In addition to social outreach and mental health, the Key Group supports three rural schools with maths development, teaching resources and training through the Masihambisane outreach programme of Grace College in Hilton.
“By partnering with Grace College’s outreach programme, we are ensuring direct delivery of effort and funding to children in disadvantaged communities where it is most needed,” Hall-Jones said.
