23 Jun 2025

Dulux Botswana has been commended for its generosity and unwavering commitment to collaboration after donating paint to refurbish St Joseph’s College in Kgale.

Speaking at the beginning of the painting project of the school facilities on Friday, school principal Ms Constance Male, said the gesture was a meaningful act of generosity and collaboration from their partners, Dulux and the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) who had provided seven apprentices to engage in the project. Ms Male applauded Dulux Botswana for choosing to support education through the provision of paint, to enable a conducive learning environment for learners and teachers.

“We do wish to highlight the broader need for refurbishment across our campus. Our facilities are in serious need for revitalisation. We can only pray that this kind of gesture sparks a further outpouring of support,” she said and hoped that the development would motivate learners and teachers.

Ms Male appealed to the business community to come on board as it took such collaborations to raise future generations. Dulux Botswana country sales and marketing manager, Mr Ayanda Sempe said heeding the call to repaint part of the school infrastructure was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility of supporting education and giving back to the community.

He said they had done the same for other schools in Okavango, Shakawe, Digawana, Tsabong and were looking to expand the partnerships. Mr Sempe said their mandate was to support and empower those who were engaged to better lives especially through the provision of quality education.

“We have already trained over 800 youth countrywide and we plan to continue partnering with other stakeholders like CITF to enlighten future generations,” he added.

CITF principal facilitator-training, Mr Edwin Mogatlenyane said they hoped for the best partnership after rebranding in the near future. He said CITF, which was to be renamed Rapid Skills Development Centre (RSDC) would have a fund that directly talked to its needs and aspirations, which would allow it to expand its provision of technical support.

He said the CITF method of training was competency based modular training, which recognised prior learning for those with prior experience in painting and other various trades. Mr Mogatlenyane said the company’s strategy for 2025-2030 was to improve stakeholder engagement, which would see the quality of training improved. St Joseph’s College deputy head girl, Thato Makgopa said the school community was thankful for the great gesture.

“It brings a smile to every learner and brings motivation to us to produce good grades. We also promise to keep our school environment clean,” she said. ENDS