Company Announcement - The annual Lafarge Community Trust Awards for Excellence takes place at E H Mogase Primary School in Bodibe Village, North West Province on 24 July 2015, timed to coincide with celebrating the spirit Mandela Day. Over 40 awards are being presented to give public recognition to school learners, educators and community members who had displayed commitment and excellence in their work.
 
The Awards ceremony is being used as an opportunity to celebrate the successful completion of large-scale school infrastructure upliftment projects executed by the Lafarge Education Trust, which has seen major improvements at 10 schools in Bodibe. The projects range from a computer laboratory for Tau Rapulana HighSchool and a science laboratory for Mmuagabo Primary School, to new classrooms at Molekane Primary School and a Grade R facility for Matlaba Primary School. Invited dignitaries and guests will be taken on a tour of some of the new-look modern facilities, which are aimed at enhancing learning at the schools.

The Awards complement the work of the Lafarge Education Trust which, in partnership with the Adopt-a-School Foundation, has implemented the Whole School Development programme in 11 schools in Bodibe. “It is a pleasure to see the growth that has taken place in the Bodibe community, particularly in education,” said Cheryl Carolus, Chairperson of Lafarge Education and Community Trusts. “Before the involvement of the Lafarge Trusts six years ago, Molekane Primary School did not have any proper infrastructure, teachers were holding classes in temporary shacks, and there were no computer and science facilities. We now see learners studying in a decent environment, teachers that have been well trained and general learner performance.”

The Lafarge Trusts were created in 2006 by Lafarge South Africa, a member of the international LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in building materials. In keeping with the local company’s commitment to contribute to building better communities, the Trusts began their school upliftment programme in the Bodibe community, which has a long-standing relationship with the Lafarge Lichtenburg Cement Works.

Addressing the gathering of learners and community members, the Department of Basic Education Circuit Manager, Mrs Nomhle Radebe, will congratulate the learners on their awards, as well as the educators and community members on the contributions they had made to improving the standard of education, saying it is the foundation for a better quality of life in the future. She will also compliment the Trusts on being a role model for excellence with their unwavering commitment to education upliftment in the area.  “The awards ceremony has become established as a way of giving recognition to those who have applied themselves to their studies and to those who have played an important role in helping to uplift their community,” comments Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, Country Communications Manager for Lafarge South Africa. “Our key ambition is to encourage all learners and community members to take ownership of their future.”