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Extensive renovation and rebuilding

Following a suggestion by former President Nelson Mandela to Primedia, in 2004 the Primedia Foundation committed R3 million for the extensive renovation and rebuilding of the Sangoni Senior Secondary School. The school is situated in the Lusikisiki District in the Eastern Cape.

The project was completed in August 2006 and handed over to the Department of Education. The Primedia Foundation intends undertaking renovations to the original, old section of the school, in partnership with the Department of Education. Hopefully agreement will be reached soon so that the renovations can commence early in 2009. The Foundation will also fund the school’s official launch party, which will take place on completion of the renovations.

The Sangoni School Bursary Programme

The Primedia Foundation is committed to a continued partnership with the Sangoni Senior Secondary School, which now has four students studying at various universities. The first two recipients of the bursaries in 2007 successfully completed their first year at Fort Hare University and the Walter Sisulu University and continued their programmes in 2008. The second two recipients are attending the Walter Sisulu University and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The third two recipients will be selected early in 2009, once the 2008 matric results are published.

The system is able to cover an area of up to 500m2. Set up costs include preparatory visits, training, supply and installation of the irrigation units, seeds and fertilizer for the first season, as well as professional support. The Primedia Foundation has established four Tipa projects:

Diepsloot

The Diepsloot project is run a group of 14 committed people on a five hectare farm close to the Diepsloot informal settlement, north of Johannesburg.

A constitution to govern the farm’s operations has been drawn up and a section 21 company formed. Although many social and leadership problems were experienced initially, the project is now running successfully and should be completely selfsustainable by mid-2009.

Olifantsvlei Project

The farm is located south of Johannesburg and was started by a community organisation headed up by the local pastor. Cabbage crops have been harvested and sold, with the farmers sharing in the proceeds, but there has been no real progress due to a lack of governance and leadership.

The agreement with the trustees of the project is being changed and once resolved the project will run more effectively. Carol Shaw Memorial Centre, Randfontein The centre rehabilitates youths affected by drugs and alcohol. Part of the rehabilitation involves engaging these youths in meaningful activities which will also equip them with relevant skills.

Although there was originally minimal progress on this farm, the stakeholders have now demonstrated new interest in developing the project.

The Department of Social Development recently allocated funds to the Centre to purchase a tractor and vehicle to transport the products from the field to the market.

Phelang School, Kwa Thema

The School looks after severely mentally handicapped children of all ages, many of which have been abused and abandoned. The children are educated and trained in scholastic, vocational and life skills so that they may realise their potential and be integrated into the community.

This project was on hold, pending the re-positioning of the vegetable garden by the school, but will be completed and ready for planting towards the end of 2008.