The sounds of laughter and clatter of people hard at work were heard loud and clear at Tlakula Secondary School as learners and the management team from Mpact’s paper operation in Springs tackled some much-needed projects to improve the school’s facilities.
All the feverish activity was in support of the Adopt-a-School Foundation – a Shanduka initiative set up by Cyril Ramaphosa. Paper and packaging company Mpact leant its support to the Foundation by adopting the Tlakula Secondary School in KwaThema.
Last Friday was the end of the school term and volunteers from the Group’s Springs Mill spent the day at the school repairing and improving its facilities.
“Our plans include long-term involvement at the schools to improve both the quality of education and the school facilities to the benefit of learners, teachers and ultimately the communities that we operate in,” says Bruce Strong, CEO of Mpact.
On Friday, Mpact volunteers were able to make personal connections with the school’s staff and learners while using their own hands and skills to make a difference to the communities where many of their employees come from.
Fourteen volunteers spent the day at Tlakula Secondary School where they painted nine classrooms and the administration building.
“On behalf of the school’s Governing Body, the staff and learners, I would like to express gratitude to Mpact for taking time off to come paint the school,” said principle, Stephen Nkosi.
“It proved a wonderful day where learners were excited to participate in revamping the school and teachers were eager to have their classes painted. When the team left, the school was transformed; the classes were clean with a fresh smell of paint and not the usual dirt. To have people occupying senior positions at Mpact putting on overalls to paint classes for our learners who mostly come from very humble backgrounds, means a lot to us,” Nkosi added.
Mpact volunteers undertook similar projects at Reasoma Secondary School, Katlehong Primary School and Muzomsha Primary School in KwaThema.
“Our hope is that, through this initiative, Mpact and our sponsors are able to uplift these schools and provide lasting support where it is most needed,” says Strong.
Note to editors:
Adopt-a-School Foundation
The Foundation strives to address the inequalities and inadequacies in our rural and disadvantaged schools, in order to ensure positive learning experiences which will lead to greater opportunities for South Africa’s youth.
Over the last 10 years Adopt-a-School has inspired both businesses and individuals in the private sector to invest effectively in education in South Africa through our model of Whole School Development.
Cyril Ramaphosa is the Foundation’s chairman.
Mpact
Mpact is a leading southern African paper and plastics packaging group with revenues of R6.8bn in 2012. Mpact employs 3,790 people at 31 sites, of which 24 are manufacturing sites. Mpact earns approximately 10% of its sales outside of South Africa. It also has plants in Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Mpact has the number one market position in corrugated packaging, recycled-based cartonboard and containerboard, recovered paper collection, PET preforms, styrene and PET trays and plastic jumbo bins.
Issued by:
FTI Consulting – Strategic Communications
Courtney Chennells 011 214 2404 / 082 775 4743 / Courtney.Chennells@fticonsulting.com
Trevor Jones 011 214 2414 / 083 326 7698 / Trevor.Jones@fticonsulting.com
Mpact Limited
Deborah Chapman | Communications Manager, Mpact
+27 (0) 11 994 5500 / +27 (0)76 650 4155 / DChapman@mpact.co.za