Seriti-Kriel Colliery, Exxaro and Eskom last week (EDITORS: 14 June 2019) handed over 12 classrooms and two ablution blocks to Bonginhlanhla Primary School in Kriel, Mpumalanga.

The classrooms and bathroom facilities are part of a complete rebuilding of the school – which caters for about 1 000 learners – by SA’s largest black-empowered resources company Exxaro in partnership with Seriti-Kriel Colliery and Eskom.

Seriti-Kriel Colliery was responsible for phase 1 of the project. Contractors broke ground on the project last June.

Exxaro is responsible for phase 2 of the project which entails the building of three classrooms, a computer center, a laboratory and a library. Exxaro has committed R10-million to the project. Contractors broke ground on phase 2 last month.

“Exxaro’s mission is powering better lives for South Africans and we know that education is the key to improving lives. But learning and teaching are challenging without the proper resources and infrastructure. That is why we are delighted to be partnering with Seriti and Eskom to not only rebuild Bonginhlanhla Primary School which unfortunately was ridden with asbestos, but also to improve the facilities available to learners. By doing so we know that we are providing the gift of learning not only the current student body but also to future generations and ensuring that we provide a springboard for this community to improve its circumstances,” said Stephen Badenhorst, Matla Coal’s Business Unit Manager.

Chief Director of the Mpumalanga Department of Education Nono Manbe, acting eMalahleni Mayor Johannes. Matshipa attended the handover.

Said Patricia Mahlangu, Seriti Human Resources Manager: “Seriti is delighted to have been at the forefront of this remarkable community project. Partnering with fellow like-minded businesses to add value to the sustainability of the education of our future generation makes this accomplishment even more rewarding. As Seriti, we look forward to more sustainable collaboration projects such as this for the benefit of our society and local community.”