From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Platinum group metals mining company Royal Bafokeng Platinum has provided a tangible example of its philosophy of “More than Mining”, by partnering with the North West Department of Education to officially open two newly built primary and secondary schools at Waterkloof Hills Estate in Rustenburg, in the North West. Shannon de Ryhove attended the launch.

Shannon de Ryhove:

The two schools are conveniently located within the Waterkloof Hills Estate, RBPlat’s flagship employee housing development in Rustenburg.

The schools launched operations at the start of this year, with the primary school welcoming 470 learners across Grade R to Grade 4. The secondary school currently caters for Grades 8 and 9, with an enrolment of 375 learners. Plans are in place for additional grades to be phased in over the next few years, ultimately accommodating about 2 000 learners from the estate and the neighbouring suburbs.

The schools are fully equipped with state-of-the-art resources, with all classes having interactive smartboards, projectors and laptops for the educators.

Additional facilities include a 1 100-capacity school hall, 256 parking bays, security gate houses and ClearVu perimeter fencing, a main playing field with multi-purpose courts and soccer fields, a multi-function room, science laboratories, designated eating halls, a sickbay, libraries and computer rooms.

RBPlat has further pledged R2-million to equip the school's libraries with books and associated learning materials, as well as the library systems, access control equipment and laptops. 

RBPlat CEO Steve Phiri:

As part of our continued belief in the power of partnerships, RBPlat is further pledging to equip this school's library to the tune of approximately 2 million rand.And this pledge will assist the library with books and associated learning materials as well as the library systems, access control equipment and laptops, all the technology this new modern technology necessary for libraries will be installed. We also will be working as a company close to SGB of this school to ensure that what we have seen today 10 years to come will still be here.

Shannon de Ryhove:

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, meanwhile, said the infrastructure would help to develop children and transform the future of the country.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe:

Here in the in the mining industry, ntate Bushy is something called social labour plan. People don't understand this concept. It’s a concept of mining companies investing, it’s a social investment in communities where mining companies operate. It’s a fee they pay for the survival and protection. It's not a favour. Mining companies must pay their social licence to communities where they stay.

Shannon de Ryhove:

The Department of Basic Education welcomed the construction of the schools, with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga enthusing that the infrastructural improvements were in line with norms and standards.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga:

Again, I really wish to thank Royal Bafokeng Platinum, the unions that were part of this process. Also give my greatest gratitude to the Premier and Gwede for really working very well with the partners that really came to the party, and I want to thank my colleague, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede, thank you very much for the ongoing support. This is not the first school that you've been handing to us but the standards here mean we must sustain it there now.

Shannon de Ryhove:

RBPlat is proud to make a difference beyond mining by impacting on lives and contributing to future generations in the most impactful way possible: through education.

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.