13 Feb 2022

Zila Investments has donated facemasks, hand gloves, sanitizers, multipurpose cleaner and other sanitary items worth more than P4 500 to Mahudiri Primary School in Gerald Estate, Francistown.

 The donation was specifically for pupils with intellectual disabilities.

 Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday, Zila Investments chief executive officer and director, Ms Rebonyeng Hick said the donation was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

 “Apart from being a company that focuses on manufacturing various goods and services such as household and catering equipment, cleaning chemicals, hardware, protective clothing and others, we saw it fit to give back to the community as part of our CSR,” she said.

 Ms Hick said that it was not the first donation as the company had donated similar items to other deserving members of the community.

She said in the past, the company donated to Francistown City Council and Greater Francistown District Health Management Team, goods worth more P15 000 and P31 000 respectively as well as cleaning chemicals to SOS children in Francistown.

“We also made donations to St Kizito School, Mater Spei College and local football clubs and we have for several years donated to the less privileged families in Francistown through their respective councillors,” said Ms Hick.

 She appealed to students not to be discouraged by their disability but to take their education seriously and work hard to fulfil their dreams since disability was not inability.

  Ms Hick said the donation might be small but would make a  difference in their lives.

 She appealed to other companies to do likewise.

 Ms Hick pledged that the company would provide industrial attachment for two students undertaking a course in Fabric and Textile at Marobela Brigade Development Trust.

  This was after head of department, Ms Esther Motsokono complained about lack of attachment for students after completing at tertiary schools.

 Ms Motsokono indicated that students were not easily absorbed in the job market after completing studies.  She said the school currently had 69 students with intellectual disability which was quite a huge number compared to the previous years.

 She explained that some of the students graduated to tertiary institutions citing an example of two students studying a bricklaying and plastering course at Senyawe Brigade.

 Ms Motsokono said they made a proposal for one student to study painting and decoration at    Marobela Brigade Development Trust and another for four students to study carpentry at the same school.

She said the students had been interviewed and were awaiting response for enrollment from the relevant tertiary institutions.

 Speaking on behalf of the students, Thabo Kubee thanked the company for its generosity while Mahudiri school senior teacher, Ms Tlhatlhoso Rakwadi promised that the donation would be put to good use. BOPA