17 Aug 2020

Serowe Water Utilities Cooperation (WUC) Management Centre on Friday donated 40 computer laboratory chairs worth P47 704 to Mannathoko Junior Secondary School in Serowe.

Handing over the chairs, WUC’s head of business centre for Serowe/Letlhakane, Mr Innocent Leonard said the donation was part of the corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which sought to plough back into the community.

The school, Mr Leonard said, had made a request to be assisted with computer laboratory chairs since the ones they were using were in a deplorable state.

“As the saying goes, charity begins at home, and Serowe being within the area of our operation, we swiftly decided to buy these chairs in order to bridge the gap experienced by the school,’’ he said.

Mr Leonard said as a corporation, WUC received a lot of requests for assistance from different groups and individuals from the community, but was limited by financial constraints to meet some of such needs.

Receiving the chairs, Mannathoko School head, Mr Ontiretse Lekoba said the chairs would not only help create a conducive learning environment for the learners, but would have a positive impact on the results of the learners.

Mr Lekoba articulated his concern about some bully students whom he said had a tendency to vandalise school property.

The school head also pleaded with well-wishers to come forth and meet the institution’s other primary needs which included a photocopying machine and a vehicle.

Chief education officer, Mr Basil Gasemotse commended WUC for leading the pack in as far as CSR was concerned.

He said the donation came at a crucial time when government was grappling with the effects of COVID-19 pandemic amid a limited budget.

“This noble gesture by Water Utilities Cooperation will, in one way or the other, help reduce the burden on the government,” he said.

Mr Gasemotse encouraged WUC to extend, where possible, its CSR programme to improve as many schools and other institutions as possible.

In the past, WUC had refurbished a two-and-half house belonging to orphans in Tshimoyapula, by roofing it, connecting water, painting it and fitting doors and windows.

The corporation’s other projects of note include the construction of two bus shelters in Serowe, purchasing of school shoes for Tshimoyapula children. ENDS