Group Five donates to Ntabazinduna school

Senior Reporter
GROUP Five, a South African company contracted to rehabilitate the country’s major highways, yesterday donated furniture and textbooks worth thousands of dollars to Mfanyana Primary School of Ntabazinduna. The company, which is also in charge of constructing computerised toll plazas along Plumtree-Bulawayo-Harare-Mutare highway, has also financed the repair of dilapidated classroom walls and repainting of the school.
Transport Communication and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche handed over the donation to the provincial education director in Matabeleland North Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni and the school head, Mrs Mpho Ndondo, during the official commissioning of Figtree toll plaza along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road.

Handing over the donation Minister Goche said Group Five has demonstrated that helping communities was not a loss, but a long term investment for companies.

“Through their corporate social responsibility Group Five has repaired damaged walls at Mfanyana Primary and repainted the school. The company has also donated 40 combined desks and chairs for pupils, 10 chairs and desks for teachers and textbooks,” said Minister Goche.

“All in all the donation is worth $27 000. This emphasises the importance of ploughing back to the community.”
Group Five managing director Mr Themba Mosai said his company took pride in helping communities it works with.

“Creating better learning conditions for pupils is important for us. Each year we set aside R40 million for education and training. When we get into a community we identify opportunities of giving assistance,” said Mr Mosai.

“Giving back to the community is part of thinking long term. We believe that sustainable communities create sustainable businesses.”
He urged the private sector to partner with the Government instead of draining wealth while ignoring the plight of communities they operate in.

Mr Mosai said Zimbabwe was a shining star in terms of championing public private partnerships and mocked those who criticise the country’s policies.

“You do not need to be on the top of the ladder to pull somebody up. Before Group Five reached Mutare, they pulled Mfanyana Primary,” said Mrs Mnguni in appreciation.

Mfanyana Primary was established in 1962 in Ntabazinduna’s Ward Five.
The school has an enrolment of 289 pupils including the early childhood development (ECD) and a special class.