21 Oct 2013

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended Majwe Mining Joint Venture for its contribution and commitment towards education.

Majwe Mining Joint Venture recently fulfilled its promise of support to Jwaneng schools as it sponsored a combined excellence awards ceremony for seven schools in Jwaneng and nearby Maokane village.

Speaking at the inaugural event on Saturday, October 19, Minister Masisi noted that the sponsorship was in line with the Adopt-a-School initiative. He said even though the initiative encouraged each company to adopt one school, Majwe Mining adopted a total of seven schools.

The minister also noted that prize giving ceremonies had proved to be a challenge to Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), hence the initiative would help in this regard.

“Essential motivational activities such as prize giving events have been the preserve of school PTAs as the ministry could not budget for them, a mammoth and trying task for most PTAs; further amplifying the gratitude that the schools involved in this partnership must be feeling,” he said. 

Mr Masisi further urged the business community in Jwaneng to emulate Majwe Mining and see how they could collaborate with schools and assist in critical areas. He said the ceremony should inspire other companies and businesses to do their part in contributing towards quality education.

“Businesses play an important role in schools. Their involvement demonstrates to students, parents, teachers and the rest of the community that they are committed to education and to the future leaders of this country,” he stressed.

The minister also underscored the need for community leaders and parents to play a role in ensuring quality education for children in their communities. Parents were encouraged to get involved in school activities as well as to monitor and supervise their children’s studies at home.

He said parents’ involvement both at school and at home would show children how important education is. Furthermore, Mr Masisi urged students to take advantage of the motivating platform created by Majwe Mining so that they qualify for the High Achievers Awards, an initiative intended to motivate students to excel at different levels.

“Take advantage of it so that you become the top achievers from this town, after completing your secondary education, and benefit under this post-secondary scholarship award ceremony,” he added.

For his part, the Majwe Mining Joint Venture project director, Mr Ian McRae said it was important to acknowledge and recognise students with good performance since they served as role models and symbols that hard work pays. He said this recognition would not only encourage top achievers to work even harder, but would also go a long way in motivating others in the future.

However, he noted that even though there had been some improvement in schools since the programme was launched in April this year, there was still a challenge of parents not getting involved in their children’s education.

“We chose the theme ‘Collaborative Support for Students Academic Excellence’ deliberately to say to everyone that children’s education is a concern to all, and especially so for parents,” he said. Mr McRae also called upon all the parents to stand up and assist the teachers in their children’s education.

He said his company was committed to helping the country achieve its Vision 2016 pillar of an Educated and Informed Nation, as evidenced by the notable projects they have undertaken in Jwaneng and surrounding areas.

The ceremony was the first of its kind since the company pledged P1 million towards prize giving ceremonies and a combined awards ceremony earlier this year. The money is to be distributed over a period of three years. ENDS