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Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, [email protected]
TURK Mine has demonstrated its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by donating 1 000 textbooks, worth US$9 000, to Turk Mine Primary School.
Located about 55km from Bulawayo along the Nkayi Road, the mine has made significant contributions to the development of the Bubi District, including drilling boreholes and other key initiatives.
At the handover ceremony, the mine’s organisational development manager, Mr Taurai Mrewa, explained that the donated books cover all subjects from Grade One to Grade Seven.
He stressed the importance of investing in children’s education.
“We urge other miners across the district to do the same. Imagine if every small and large-scale miner contributed to the education of children near their mining operations — it would transform their futures,” he said.
Mr Mrewa also said that the mine is building a new school block, for which the materials have already been purchased.
Turk Mine general manager, Mr Owen Nyoni, said that the new classroom block is necessary as some pupils were being taught in shifts due to a lack of space. He also noted that the company aims to reduce crime and other social issues by investing in the community, particularly as they employ many young people from the area.
Last year, the mining company renovated one of the school’s dilapidated blocks.
The school head, Mrs Thandiwe Mukahiwa, expressed her gratitude, saying the donation will improve performance and help eradicate the zero percent pass rate.
“We are delighted. We lacked core textbooks for subjects like Ndebele, English, and Mathematics, but now that we have them, our pass rate will rise, and we will eliminate the zero percent pass rate in Bubi District,” she said. Also present at the handover ceremony was the executive officer for social services at Bubi Rural District Council, Mr Vuyo Nhongo, who praised the company’s commitment to the community, recognising them as development partners.
“As a council, we truly appreciate the relationship,” he said. “You have done a lot, not only in education.
You are assisting with drilling boreholes, providing machinery for road construction, and stepping in when our grader breaks down.”
He said that the company plays a vital role in the community’s social welfare by employing numerous people, which helps reduce crime and gender-based violence (GBV).
Mr Nhongo believes that the company’s CSR initiatives will undoubtedly lead to social transformation.
Bubi District Ward 22 Councillor, Mr Stephen Nkhoma, added that the ward appreciates the mine’s contributions.
“I was particularly pleased to learn that the ongoing borehole drilling in the district is being carried out by the mine,” he said.
Online Reporter