The entire executive committee (exco) of Rand Refinery, the only London Bullion Market Association refiner and smelter on the African continent is self-funding the company’s schools programme that seeks to ensure children from the neighbourhood are able to return to their classrooms safely. The initiative led by CEO Praveen Baijnath and other exco members is fully funded from their own pockets.  

Benefitting schools Ekurhuleni Primary and Illenge Secondary School, will receive personal protective equipment in addition to the schools identified to be decontaminated over a three-month period.  

The donation of the personal protective equipment (PPE) was received by Steve Maboa, Chief Educational Specialist for City of Ekurhuleni.  

“It’s been five months since the coronavirus brought an abrupt end to the school year. As positive cases drop, the lockdown restrictions are being eased to allow for the economy to restart. However, there is palpable distress amongst teachers and parents of school going children as schools reopen,” says Baijnath.  

“We felt in our personal capacity that this was a way we could contribute. We’re all in this together. It’s one less thing the families have to worry about in providing for their children. Something as simple as sanitisers and face masks has helped in returning a sense of normalcy during the pandemic. we thought it was important to renew our commitment to the community.”  

Rand Refinery has been working with local partners and the City of Ekurhuleni to provide resources to vulnerable and underserved communities hit hardest by the coronavirus.  

Last month, the refinery distributed food parcels in Ramaphosa, Thembisa and Kwa-Thema informal settlements where 300 families received essential food items like mealie meal, rice, canned fish and baked beans, vegetables, fruits and beverages like tea and coffee. Also included in the parcel were household hygiene items like washing powder and bath soaps. 

"Since early March, we have followed the trajectory of the contagion and made immediate efforts to secure the necessary medical supplies, PPEs and immune boosters to protect our staff, their immediate families as well as all our contractors and security staff. I would like to thank the members of the exco whose generosity of heart helped fund the schools programme and further strengthened our ability to care for the community,” adds Baijnath.   

This donation is over and above the R10 million Rand Refinery has committed to assist those disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus in the community with an immediate focus on health and humanitarian needs, food insecurity, PPEs and the well-being of its employees and essential contractors.  

The company has also taken upon itself to address the gender-based violence accelerated by a global pandemic by opening a dedicated helpline to support its staff who mostly come from the communities.  

“The health and safety of our employees and the community we operate in remains our top priority. In addition to these efforts, we are fully committed to flattening the curve by bolstering our internal initiatives that include distribution of care packs to our employees and their families, contactors and residents and SMMEs in our Jewellery Village,” says Baijnath in conclusion.