09 March 2022. Attacq Foundation, a corporate social investment initiative focused on sustainable education and training, powered by Attacq Limited; is delighted to announce that the construction of three new classrooms at Phuthumani Primary School has commenced. The initiative forms part of Attacq Foundation’s commitment to meaningfully empower the youth through education, equipping them with the necessary skills to be sufficiently prepared to move South Africa forward through employment and entrepreneurship.
Founded in 1899, Phuthumani Primary School is an anchor of the Thembisa community. It plays a crucial role in instilling fundamental knowledge to 1 366 learners in a safe, reliable and conducive learning environment.
Danny Vermeulen, Transformation Manager at Attacq, commented, “We are proud to commence the construction of the three classrooms at Phuthumani Primary School, following our initial decision to formalise the adoption of the school. This initiative is particularly close to our hearts at Attacq, as we fully appreciate the important role primary education plays in our society as the incubator for the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.”
The Attacq Foundation and Phuthumani Primary School partnership was born from a collaborative project with the SAGE Foundation. Recognising the school’s need for support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene packs, 230 school shoes and 100 training shoes were donated to pupils in need. Additionally, two classrooms were renovated, ensuring students and teachers had access to a refreshed and inviting educational environment. The successful project garnered significant support from Attacq and SAGE foundations’ various stakeholders, who recognised the initiative’s potential to make a meaningful impact on this school and the wider Thembisa community.
The three-year initiative is now in partnership with SAGE Foundation, where both parties have committed to invest over R1.6 million respectively, reflecting the depth of the pledge to sustainable social development.
SAGE Foundation commits to implement learner and teacher skills development programmes, launch an ICT project and ensure that learners have access to smart tablets.
As part of Attacq’s vision to ensure a positive impact on its communities and environment in which it operates, the construction of the three new classrooms will be contracted to Guanxi Combine Civil and Building Construction—a local Level 1 BEE black female-owned SMME business that employs members of the Thembisa community and surrounding areas. As a result, the ripple effects of this project will touch numerous lives both within and outside of Phuthumani Primary School.
This partnership is primed for longevity. Upon completion of the three classrooms, Attacq Foundation and SAGE Foundation will expand their collaboration with Phuthumani Primary School by identifying additional key projects to assist the school in meeting its educational objectives.